Rapid started in Belgium against KRC Genk with Branko Boskovic in midfield in what looked a very daring line up from Zoran Barisic. Brian Behrendt took a place on the bench on his 22nd birthday. With the backing of 1,400 raucous Viennese in the Cristal Arena, an open attractive match unfolded with the Green & Whites fashioning clear cut chances almost at will.Chances going begging, Genk snatch the leadThe first big chance of the evening came the way of Louis Schaub, who shot narrowly wide when a cut back to the waiting Boyd may have been the better option (4.). Terrence Boyd then turned provider as he set up Christopher Dibon, whose whose effort was cleared to safety by Genk defender Koulibaly (7.). At the other end of the pitch De Ceulaer had the home side's first glimpse of goal but his shot comfortably cleared Jan Novota's crossbar (8.). It was an open and enthralling contest that was developing in which chances continued to flow: Boyd played in the impressive Schaub, whose attempt again missed the far corner by a matter of inches (12.). It appeared to all and sundry that an opening goal for Rapid was within touching distance, but cruelly and against the run of play Rapid played a part in their own downfall as Genk took the lead. Having gotten in each others way in the centre of the park and giving up possession, Palla conceded an unnecessary free kick that was cut back from the left side of the penalty area to Gorius who unleashed an unstoppable bullet of a shot straight into the top corner from fully 25 meters - 0:1 (21.). Rather than changing the game's momentum though, Rapid picked up from the kick off where they had left off and kept on fashioning openings: Boyd fired wide on the turn (22.), before his goal bound header was sliced dangerously off the line by the Genk defence (36.). It was the last chance of the half for Rapid who went into the changing rooms wondering how they could be trailing after such a good performance.Sabitzer sends Rapid fans wildHaving been on the back foot in the first half, Genk emerged a much better side in the second and went on the look out for a killer second goal. De Ceulaer went close in the 56th minute, before excellent build up play created a chance for Tshimanga who smacked the cross bar with a left footed shot from about 8 meters (58.). It looked like the second had finally arrived when Vossen headed the ball goal wards in space, but his header missed the target by a matter of inches with the goal gaping (61.). To Rapid's credit the young side didn't buckle under the pressure, weathered the storm and began to regain the initiative. Marcel Sabitzer tested keeper Koesteles in a show of intent from the Green & Whites as the tide began to turn once more (70.). Just as Rapid's youngsters looked like they might be running out of ideas the crucial equaliser came: A beautiful cross from the left from substitute Thomas Schrammel bisected perfectly the big Genk centre backs and found Sabitzer, who powered a header past the helpless keeper to re-ignite Rapid's interest in Group G - 1:1 (80.)!Both teams sensed that a victory was there for the taking in the closing minutes, but Sabitzer's header proved to be the last goal of the evening as the score line remained one a piece. It was an exceptional performance from Rapid, one that Coach Barisic described as the "best of the season so far." Now with a huge slice of self belief and confidence our team turn their attentions to the Generali Arena and the 307th Viennese derby on Sunday.Zoran Barisic: "Today's analysis is very simple. Against a very good opponent we've delivered a top performance. We executed our plans and had the game under control from the beginning, but due to a one in a million shot fell behind. It says something about the character of the team, that they never stopped playing football and never stopped believing."UEFA Europa League, Group G, Match Day 3:KRC Genk - SK Rapid 1:1 (1:0)Cristal Arena, 15.000 Attendance, Ref Gautier (FRA)Goals: 1:0 Gorius (21.), 1:1 Sabitzer (82.)Genk: Köteles - Ngcongca, Mbodji, Koulibaly, Tshimanga - Gorius, Kumordzi - Buffel (69./Masika), Camus (77./Hyland), De Ceulaer - VossenSK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Palla (61./Schrammel) - Petsos, Boskovic (74./Behrendt) - S. Hofmann (81./Starkl), Schaub, Sabitzer – BoydYellow Cards: Kumordzi, Vossen Trimmel, S. Hofmann(gw)
27.10.2013