Rapid 3:0 SV Mattersburg: Second half show seals the points

Rapid went into Sunday's Bundesliga clash with SV Mattersburg on a run of three heavy victories against the Burgenland side. At the final whistle a fourth comfortable looking win had been recorded, but those present would acknowledge that Rapid had to dig in and work hard for the crucial three points.

With Arnor Traustason and Christopher Dibon not fit enough to be named in the match day squad, Mario Sonnleitner was drafted back into the fold to re-inforce Mike Büskens' defensive options. Also on the bench was the fresh faced 17-year-old Kelvin Arase, who made the step up from the academy to first team duties. With Philipp Schobesberger also unavailable for selection, Arase offered a useful extra weapon in the offensive third. Shortly after kick-off it was the attack minded full-back Thomas Schrammel who got the first effort in on goal, with Mattersburg keeper Kuster comfortably gathering in the left-back’s long range strike (2.). As the half wore on clear cut chances remained at a premium, with Mario Pavelic's off target shot in the 38th minute proving to be as close as Rapid would come to finding a breakthrough in a congested first half. With the deadlock in tact going into the break, it was clear that patience and hard work would be required if the Green & Whites were to carve out a chance and take the three points.

With the support of 19,600 Rapid fans behind them, a reinvigorated Hütteldorfer eleven emerged for the second half and kept chipping away at the hitherto solid SVM backline. Thomas Murg sent an early free kick just over the crossbar (48.), before Louis Schaub twice threatened Kuster's goal. Firstly, the diminutive forward sent a rasping drive just inches wide of the far corner from the edge of the box (50.), before having a goal bound header from close range blocked by a scrambling Mattersburg defender (55.). But then, just like on Thursday against Genk, Rapid's building pressure told on the hour mark: A superb defence splitting pass from Murg was controlled expertly by Louis Schaub, who calmly slotted the ball past Kustor to hand Rapid what was on the balance of play a deserved lead - 1:0 (62.)! With the crowd up and their noses in front, Rapid quickly sought to grab a crucial second - and just minutes later the goal hymn was again ringing around the Allianz Stadium: Joelinton got himself on the end of a cross, cushioning the ball back to Tamas Szanto, who added to his first goal scored in Green & White in Graz with a calm low finish that gave Kuster no chance - 2:0 and some breathing space for Mike Büskens' side (65.)!

Joelinton then had the chance to kill off the Burgenland outfit, but his close range effort just lacked the legs to get over the line, as despite beating the SVM goalkeeper his deft shot was hacked clear off the line (68.). With the traditional Rapid-Viertelstunde chants ringing round the stands, Steffen Hofmann - newly introduced - nearly set up the third: An incisive forward pass from the club skipper found Schaub, who in turn played Murg in on goal. Despite steadying himself and applying a smart finish, SVM keeper Kuster came out on top in the duel, saving Murg's low shot with his legs (80.). Nonetheless there was still time for the Viennese to add a third, which duly arrived via the boot of Mario Pavelic, who unleashed an unstoppable low drive into the far left-hand corner of the net after receiving a perfectly weighted square ball from Stefan Schwab - 3:0 and the points safely in the bag (83.)! The young Arase came off the bench for his debut in the closing minutes, and had a moment to look back on as he celebrated the victory with his teammates in front of the typically raucous Block West. The win sees Rapid moving in the right direction up the table and into third place. RAPID!!

(gw)