Trainer Zoran Barisic sprung a surprise for the trip to Lower Austria to face Wiener Neustadt, making a host of changes to the starting line up. First team stalwarts such as Mario Sonnleitner, Christopher Trimmel, Thanos Petsos and Stephan Palla all found themselves on the bench having participated in Thursday's second half heroics against Dynamo Kiev. Captain Steffen Hofmann, Harry Pichler and Mario Pavelic all came into the starting line up. The 20 year old right back's inclusion represented his Bundesliga début following his appearance earlier this season against Tripoli.The first chances of the game went the way of Wiener Neustadt: Sereinig tested Jan Novota with a header down the keeper's throat (6.), before Pichlmann correctly had a goal chalked off for offside (19.). The Green & Whites were by far the tidier of the two teams in possession, but made life hard for themselves on a difficult pitch with stray passes and mis-controlled balls. It took a while before Rapid got their first sight of goal with Steffen Hofmann shooting over from the edge of the box (35.). Just minutes later Rapid had their best chance of the half when Harry Pichler crossed for Marcel Sabitzer, whose goal bound far corner header was clawed away by home keeper Vollnhofer. Vollnhofer's parry only dropped as far as Lukas Grozurek though, but the youngster fired the rebound over the crossbar (38.) in the last goalmouth action of the half.Clear cut chances, no goalsThe injured Steffen Hofmann didn't emerge for the second half, the captain's void filled by Thanos Petsos. In contrast to the first forty-five, a motivated Rapid side came onto the field and started unlocking the opponents defence. Firstly Sabitzer narrowly missed with a shot towards the far corner having got himself on the end of a deflected cross (50.), before Grozurek went close with a header (56.). Then Rapid squandered the best chance of the game when an incisive passing move got Schaub in in the penalty area only to see his close range effort saved by the home keeper, the rebound landed at Grozurek's feet but he also failed to find a way past the inspired Vollnhofer. At the other end Mimm should have punished a Harry Pichler mistake, but shot wide and high when baring down on Jan Novota's goal (60.) as the hosts reminded Rapid that they were still present and dangerous. Barisic's side began piling forwards in attack but despite excerting sustained pressure on Wiener Neustadt were unable to find a way through. What would have been a deserved victory looked like it had arrived in the game's dying embers, but Marcel Sabitzer screwed his shot wide of the target having received the ball in the centre of the goal near the penalty spot (87.). With the chance went Rapid's hopes of claiming a victory and the game duly finished goalless with both teams having to settle for a point a piece.During the forthcoming break for the World Cup Qualifying matches Rapid will take on Second Division St. Pölten in a friendly. Until the Bundesliga reconvenes be sure to check back to keep up to date with all the latest Green & White goings on.tipp3-Bundesliga, Match Day 11:Wr. Neustadt - SK Rapid 0:0Stadion Wiener Neustadt, 3.800 Attendance, Ref KolleggerWr. Neustadt: Vollnhofer - Pollhammer, M. Wallner, Sereinig, Berger (77. Stangl) - Hlinka, M. Koch (55. Mimm) - Rauter, Dobras, Martschinko (66. T. Fröschl) - PichlmannSK Rapid: Novota - Pavelic, Dibon, Pichler, Schrammel - Behrendt (87. Boskovic) - Sabitzer, Hofmann (46. Petsos), Schaub, Grozurek (64. Trimmel) - BoydYellow Cards: Schaub, Dibon, Pichler(gw)
06.10.2013