Full of belief and with 34.300 Rapid fans packed into the Ernst Happel Stadium Rapid went into what was almost a must win situation against Belgian outfit Genk. After a tense opening twenty minutes the game sprung into life. The first noteworthy effort of the night was a long range shot from Terrance Boyd, which  Genk keeper Kösteles gathered in at the second attempt (20.). Minutes later a strange series of events lead to Rapid falling behind: Marcel Sabitzer hit a free kick into the wall, and Genk broke swiftly up field. The ball arrived in the Rapid penalty area via good play from Vossen, where a last ditch effort from Christopher Trimmel saw the defender clear the ball off the line. The ball span across the penalty box to De Ceulear who went down under contact from the scrambling Jan Novota. Despite the the big keeper getting a firm hand on the ball the referee pointed to the spot, Mbodji stepped up and sent Novota the wrong way - 0:1 Genk, and not what the expectant crowd had been looking for...Game turned on its head inside five minutesYet again Rapid found themselves facing adversity. But the Green & Whites didn't shirk the challenge and fought back with great effect. Firstly Thanos Petsos tried his luck with a long ranger that resulted in a parried save and a corner. A great delivery was met by Mario Sonnleitner, whose header crashed off the post and rebounded back into the six yard box with Terrance Boyd was on hand to head the rebound into the net - 1:1 (39.)! The game was now one way traffic as Rapid sought the crucial second, and the pressure and power duly paid off before half time: Christopher Trimmel floated a pin point cross into the box, where Terrence Boyd rose to power a header down the middle of the goal that beat the keeper for pace - 2:1 (45)! The half time whistle went with Rapid's hopes of qualification alive and kicking.Equaliser on the hourThe Hütteldorfers approached the start of the second half in the manner they had finished the first, looking for a third goal that would surely put the game out of Genk's reach. The first chance of the half fell to Louis Schaub, whose deflected effort went just the wrong side of the post (54.). With the visitors defence creaking it seemed only a matter of time before Rapid would add the crucial third. A goal was just around the corner, but against the run of play it was Genk who scored it: Thomas Buffel stole in round the back of the Rapid defence, getting on the end of a Camus cross and converting from close range - 2:2 (60.). Just seconds later Schaub nearly restored the lead but couldn't get Trimmel's cross under control quickly enough and screwed the ball wide from a promising position (62.). Rapid were pushing forwards looking for a winner, but the visitors were proving dangerous on the counter and nearly managed to exploit the space on offer. In the 70th minute Vosser was played in one on one with Jan Novota, but the keeper rushed off his line and cleared to keep Rapid hopes alive.Driven on by the unwavering support rolling down from the stands Rapid refused to give up the search for the all important winner but despite giving everything they couldn't find a way through. A late effort from range from Brian Behrendt was tipped over the bar by Kösteles, and that would be as close as Rapid would come. The Hütteldorfers will feel their performance merited more than a solitary point from the game, but the effort and quality of the performance made all present in Green & White proud. Qualification from Group G remains possible, but it will take a herculean effort now and wins against both FC Thun and Dynamo Kiev are a must.UEFA Europa League, Match Day 4 Group GSK Rapid - KRC Genk 2:2 (2:1)Ernst-Happel-Stadium, 34.300 Attendance, Ref Aydinus (TUR)Goals: 0:1 Mbodji (28./Penalty), 1:1 Boyd (40.), 2:1 Boyd (45.), 2:2 Buffel (61.)SK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Schrammel - Petsos, Boskovic (81./Behrendt) - Hofmann (87./Starkl), Schaub, Sabitzer (77./Burgstaller) - BoydGenk: Köteles - Ngcongca, Koulibaly, Mbodji, Tshimanga - Gorius, Hyland, De Ceulaer, Buffel - Camus (91./Kumordzi), Vossen(gw)
11.11.2013