For the second time in five days Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz was again on the agenda. Having taken all three points in the UPC Arena with a 3-1 victory on Saturday, Rapid went into the game looking for a repeat performance. As always with Cup games the only thought before the game was to reach the next round at any price: performances are secondary. And qualify for the quarter finals of the ÖFB-Samsung-Cup was exactly what the Green & Whites did, albeit with a black injury cloud hanging over the result. Schwab goal gives Rapid early leadChristopher Dibon missed the second half of the Graz double header through injury, so in came Max Hofmann into the heart of the Rapid defence. Hofmann had to ensure he was switched on from the get go as the Green & White defence was called upon early doors to keep the visitors at bay. Jan Novota sprung into action to parry a Djuricin shot to safety (3.), before Stefan Schwab had Rapid's first sight of goal, getting a shot off from a tight angle just a minute later. The hectic opening phase was crowned as Schwab again proved to be the bane of the Graz defenders, as he spun to get his head on a Flo Kainz cross, directing the ball beyond Grazei to give the Hüttledorfers the lead - 1:0 (5.)! Robert Beric could have then made it two as he bore down on Grazei having been played in by a defence splitting pass from Louis Schaub, but the Sturm keeper came out on top this time (12.). Djuricin's early effort seemed like a distant memory now with Rapid in total control and Sturm trying to cling to their coat-tails. Searching for the secondThere was a nasty moment during the first half however as the unfortunate Stefan Stangl was forced off with what appeared to be a pulled muscle. Mario Pavelic came on as a result, with Thomas Schrammel switching back to his favoured left side. The influential Schwab looked to double his tally with an overhead kick (26.), but the best chance of the remaining minutes again fell to Beric: a corner was flicked on by Mario Sonnleitner to Beric, who struggled to get the ball under control before scooping the ball over the crossbar (44.).Bad injury for SchwabAs expected Sturm Graz emerged for the second half determined to exert more pressure on the Green & White defence, but Rapid continued to boss the game, despite positioning themselves slightly deeper in their own half, which did allow the visitors more space to manoeuvre. A heart in the mouth moment did arrive, but not in the form of a chance for Sturm but as a nasty looking injury to Stefan Schwab. The goal scorer suffered a double ligament tear and left the field on a stretcher. We hope to see Stefan make a speedy recovery.  Place in Quarter-Final bookedDespite Sturm's desperate need of a goal, it was Rapid who continued to look more threatening, as underlined by Louis Schaub who drew another fine save out of Grazei (72.). But with the clock ticking down the inability to kill the game off with a second saw Sturm mount a late charge. Firstly Jan Novota was called upon to keep out a Piesinger header (80.), before he again denied Djuricin right at the death (92.). The final whistle brought a sigh of relief as well as confirmation that Rapid's Cup adventure had been extended into next year!ÖFB-Samsung-Cup, Last 16 SK Rapid - Sturm Graz 1:0 (1:0)Ernst-Happel-Stadion, 7.800, Ref HameterGoal: 1:0 Schwab (5.)SK Rapid: Novota - Schrammel, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Stangl (22. Pavelic) - Schwab (66. Grahovac), Petsos - Schaub, S. Hofmann (76. Starkl), F. Kainz - BericSturm Graz: Gratzei - Ehrenreich, Madl, Spendlhofer, Klem - Piesinger, Offenbacher (65. M. Stankovic) - Schick (81. Schloffer), Beichler, Gruber (65. Tadic) - DjuricinYellow Cards: S. Hofmann Offenbacher, Klem, Piesinger(gw)
03.11.2014