The Hütteldorfer line up showed a couple of changes in comparison to last time out at home against Wiener Neustadt: Mario Pavelic came into the side at right back, allowing Thomas Schrammel to move across the back four to his favoured left back position. It was important for Rapid to build on last week's success, with the winter break closing quickly chances are running out to push back up the table before the Bundesliga goes into hibernation.Rapid quickly into their rhythmThe opening stages of the game were promising: Rapid got on the ball, knocked it around nicely and managed to create some space in the attacking third that lead to early chances. The first moment of danger for the hosts come however when Standfest nearly put through his own net as he miscued a back pass that nearly lobbed Wolfsberg keeper Kofler (8.). Stefan Schwab then forced Kofler into another save just moments later (10.). The best chance of the half fell to Florian Kainz, who screwed his low effort wide of the Kofler's right hand post from the penalty spot after the ball had rolled invitingly to him following a corner (22.). As the rain began to pour down in Carinthia, Schwab picked up a yellow, his 5th of the season, and will subsequently be unavailable for next weeks trip to Salzburg. The best the hosts could muster during the first forty-five was a hooked effort from Standfest that comfortably cleared Jan Novota's crossbar (40.).Schwab: using your headZoran Barisic sent out an unchanged eleven for the second half, and within minutes of kick off Rapid had rattled Wolfsberg's woodwork: a bullet of a low drive from Schrammel from the edge of the area cannoned back off the foot of the post to Kainz, who failed to beat Kofler after the keeper did well to quickly narrow the angle (50.). As the rain grew heavier and the pitch bogged down, Rapid struggled to build on the half's early momentum, and completely against the run of play Wolfsberg controversially stole ahead: ex-Rapid man Palla floated a lofted ball into the area, Novota came to claim but was hindered in his efforts mid-air by Trdina and the unfair pressure resulted in the ball dropping to Seebacher, who turned the ball into an unguarded net (65.). Just two minutes later Stefan Schwab passed up a glorious chance to equalise when, unmarked from a corner, he turned his header wide from a matter of feet with the goal gaping (67.). However, the elegant midfield man quickly atoned for his error as just a minute later he rose above Stephen Palla to expertly guide a much more difficult headed opportunity past Kofler and into the top corner - 1:1 (68.)!Guilt edged chances at the deathUnfortunately for Schwab the goal came at a price, as not long afterwards he was forced to leave the field after he had clashed heads with Palla during the act of scoring. Dominik Wydra came on in his place and Rapid continued to push for a winner. The game opened up as Wolfsberg began to look out on their feet and it seemed a matter of time before the Green & Whites cashed in and found a second. Right at the death the Hütteldorfers fashioned two guilt edged chances: firstly substitute Deni Alar had a great headed chance as the game moved into injury time, but his close range header lacked timing and thus the power required to beat Kofler (90.). The final, and most presentable chance, fell to Flo Kainz, who, after fabulous work from Schaub, was played through on goal. With just Kofler to beat Kainz' low shot was kept out by the Wolfsberg keeper''s foot deep into injury time. As the final whistle went Green & White heads went into hands and that summed up the afternoon's work: an excellent performance, but a big chance missed.Despite the disappointment at not claiming the victory, the second half performance and the general quality of play on a difficult surface against a good opponent will give the boys confidence ahead of next weeks trip to reigning champions RB Salzburg. Trainer Zoran Barisic: "Taking everything into consideration you have to congratulate the team for their performance. The result is the only bit missing. We were the better team, had more chances and were always in control of the game. Unfortunately we weren't rewarded with the victory. Now its important that we don't let our heads drop, rather that we build on the performance."tipico Bundesliga, Match Day 18WAC - SK Rapid 1:1 (0:0)Wolfsberg, Lavanttal-Arena, 5.250 attendance, Ref DrachtaGoals: 1:0 Seebacher (65.), 1:1 Schwab (70.)WAC: Kofler - M. Berger, Sollbauer, Drescher, Palla - Standfest, Hüttenbrenner - Seebacher, Jacobo (86./Kerhe), Wernitznig (76./Silvio) - Trdina (94./Seidl)SK Rapid: Novota - Pavelic, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Schrammel - Petsos, Schwab (79./Wydra) - Schaub, S. Hofmann, F. Kainz - Beric (87./Alar)Yellow Cards: Jacobo, Seebacher Schwab(gw)
09.12.2014