A convincing first half performance saw Rapid leading 1:0 at half time thanks to a Terrance Boyd goal. Despite not creating that many clear cut chances Rapid were clearly a notch above the visitors and comfortable throughout. The goal arrived in the 17th minute as Guido Burgstaller played in Marcel Sabitzer down the left hand side of the penalty area with a cheeky backheel. Sabitzer hit his cross into Thun keeper Faivre's chest, but the Swiss stopper spilled the ball and the grateful Boyd was on hand to send Rapid into a crucial lead, tapping home from a couple of yards 1:0 (17.).Apart from an early sight of goal the visitors offered little in the way of goal threat and Rapid went into the break a goal to the good following a thoroughly satisfying first half performance.The second half saw another measured and confident 45 from the Hütteldorfers. An unlikely Thun equaliser from Sadik in the 62nd minute threatened to throw a spanner in the works, but Rapid quickly regained the lead just two minutes later. Branko Boskovic scored the goal that secured the three points for Rapid following more good work from the influential Burgstaller (64.). The Swiss side offered little in the way of goal threat in the remainder of the half, and the Green & Whites could have extended their lead late on through Dominik Starkl. It didn't matter however, and Rapid claimed a thoroughly deserved 2:1 win to avenge the defeat in the first group match in Switzerland.The biggest cheer of the night from the 34,000 strong crowd was the news that Genk had beaten Dynamo Kiev 3:1 in the group's other match. The result leaves Rapid on six points, just one behind second place Dynamo ahead of the now all important clash in the Ukrainian capital. Belgians Genk secured their passage into the next round with the victory, and simultaneously first place in the group. Rapid now need to go to Kiev and secure a victory in order to progress. With the backing of the thousands of Green & White fans that will undoubtedly travel eastwards with their team, and the upsurge in form that Barisic's side has experienced in the last few weeks, this seasons European adventure could extend well into the new year and beyond.Kiev, were coming.(gw)
28.11.2013