Domestic action got back underway for Rapid following the international break on Wednesday in the shape of an away fixture in Lower Austria against Wiener Neustadt. Zoran Barisic elected to go with the same eleven that had earned the three points at home to Grödig last time out with Mario Pavelic, who completed ninety minutes for the reserves on Sunday, on the bench.Quick start then pegged backA bright start to the game from the Hütteldorfers was rewarded with the opening goal after only three minutes: ex-Wiener Neustadt man Stangl played Louis Schaub into the penalty area in acres of space, whose cross-cum-shot was turned home from close range by a delighted Robert Beric - 0:1 and the perfect way to cap an exciting opening! Stefan Schwab then went close with a free kick (12.) before the hosts finally began to find their feet. Following a mini period of pressure, Wiener Neustadt managed to force an equaliser. Capitalising on a break down in play on the edge of the Rapid box, Salamon played a cute ball into the penalty area for Rauter, who took the ball wide of Novota before scoring with a simple finish - 1:1 (24.). Robert Beric (29.) and Max Hofmann (30.) both tested Vollnhofer in the Neustadt goal as Rapid looked to recover from the shock of conceding an unnecessary equaliser, but the Hütteldorfers failed to regain their early rhythm and the half ended with the Heimo Pfeifenberger's side enjoying the better of the closing stages.Another quick start, this time ruthlessly capitalised uponAnother lightning start from the Green & Whites in the second period again saw them score early to retake the lead: Steffen Hofmann played in Stangl down the left flank, his cross was turned goal wards by Robert Beric, whose shot Neustadt keeper Vollnhofer could only turn into the path of Louis Schaub, who poked home into an empty from a matter of feet to open his Bundesliga account for the season - 1:2 (48.)! Schaub nearly added a third just minutes later, but fired narrowly wide after working an inviting shooting position for himself with some dazzling footwork (52.). Wiener Neustadt were rocking at the back and it was no surprise when a third goal followed shortly afterwards as the floodgates threatened to open: Slovene Striker Robert Beric was again on hand to tap home from close range, this time having been set up by a low cross from Florian Kainz (55.). Kainz himself nearly got in on the goal scoring action following a clever free kick routine involving Steffen Hofmann, but his shot was too central to beat Vollnhofer (70.).More goals were in the air, and the fourth of the evening duly arrived when a neat one-two involving Schaub and Hofmann culminated in Schaub once again stroking home from close range as the opposition defence completely capitulated - 1:4 (72.). A great evening for Louis Schaub turned somewhat sour minutes later however, when the live-wire forward picked up a second yellow card for a lunging tackle on Deutschmann. Schaub will now miss the visit of table toppers Wolfsberg on the weekend.A superb performance from the Green & Whites was rounded off by Max Hofmann, who displayed great composure with a calm left footed finish through a crowded area following a corner from namesake Steffen - 1:5 (79.) and a first ever goal for the young centre half! Jan Novota kept out a late long range effort from Freitag (82.) to ensure that the margin of victory remained representative of the superiority displayed by Rapid in a second half in which they blew Wiener Neustadt away. Next up is a mouth watering clash with pace setters Wolfsberg. Trainer Zoran Barisic: "We started well and took the early lead. We then made some mistakes which lead to the equaliser but we then began creating chances again. I'm thoroughly satisfied with performance in the second half and we deserved the win. The red card for Schaub is a bit annoying, you can't go in like that when you're already on a yellow. We're looking forward to Saturday's match, although Wolfsberg are the big favourites. The most important thing is that we achieve a level of stability."tipico Bundesliga, Match Day 8:Wiener Neustadt - SK Rapid 1:5 (1:1)Stadion Wr. Neustadt, 4.137 Attendance, Ref DrachtaGoals: 0:1 Beric (3.), 1:1 Rauter (23.), 1:2 Schaub (48.), 1:3 Beric (55.), 1:4 Schaub (72.), 1:5 M. Hofmann (80.)Wr. Neustadt: Vollnhofer - Pollhammer, Deutschmann, Mally (80./Mimm), Ranftl (67./Koch) - O’Brien, Freitag - Osman Ali, Rauter, Schöpf (59./Denner) - J. SalamonSK Rapid: Novota - Schrammel, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Stangl - Schwab, Wydra (83./Petsos) - Schaub, S. Hofmann, F. Kainz (75./Schobesberger) - Beric (86./Prosenik)Yellow Cards: Mimm, Deutschmann Schwab, SchaubSecond Yellow Card: Schaub (76.)(gw)
13.09.2014