125 JAHRE SK RAPID
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20.03.2017
tipico Bundesliga

The wait for a win continues

Just under 20,000 Rapid fans packed into the Allianz Stadium for Saturday's clash with near neighbours SV Mattersburg in the hope of seeing a first victory since the Bundesliga emerged from its winter slumber. The Hütteldorfers once again attempted to force the issue and created a series of chances through some pleasing free flowing football, but as has so often been the case this season their efforts culminated in the third drawn match of 2017 and ultimately another disappointing result. With the international break now upon us, it provides an opportunity for Damir Canadi and his side to re-group and come again in an attempt to arrest the current alarming downwards spiral.

With only 26 seconds on the clock Mattersburg punished a sleepy Rapid defence: having won possession in their own half, a long ball in behind the Rapid defence was latched onto by Atanga, who skipped inside Max Hofmann before beating Tobias Knoflach low down at the near post 0:1 - (1.). However there was no sense of a sinking feeling amongst the Green & White players; rather they composed themselves and went on the offensive looking to make amends for the early lapse. With the ever-green Steffen Hofmann pulling the strings, Rapid began carving out chances to level the game. Christopher Dibon got on the end of a free kick to get a header on target (10.), before SVM keeper Kuster was again called into action, this time to punch away a dangerous cross from Stefan Schwab (13.). Dibon again tried his luck - this time with his feet - but his shot went over the bar (18.), before Mario Sonnleitner had a headed goal chalked off for offside (22.). Icelandic international Arnor Traustason then had a decent effort on the opposition goal just after the half hour mark, but again Kuster got his angles correct (32.).

But on the stroke of half time Canadi's side got the reward their first half endeavours had merited: A cross from Thomas Schrammel was met by Gio Kvilitaia who had risen above the Mattersburg defence to plant a header past Kuster - 1:1 (45.)! A palpable relief swept around the stadium.

Direct from the restart mercurial skipper Steffen Hofmann picked out substitute Louis Schaub with a lofted pass, but the tricky forward's volley went over the bar (47.). Again Rapid looked to turn the screw but the crucial second goal continued to evade them. Often the achilles heel proved to be decision making in the final third, as dangerous situations came and went without being fully capitalised upon.

Matej Jelic was thrown into the action as Rapid desperately hunted the winner, whilst shots from Tamas Szanto (77., 82.) kept Kuster on his toes. In the closing moments of the game it looked as though the breakthrough would arrive, but Jelic failed to apply the crucial touch to a low cross across the goal mouth from Louis Schaub. The game ended 1:1 and Rapid's wait for a victory goes on.

(gw)

tipico Bundesliga, 26th round:
SK Rapid - SV Mattersburg 1:1 (1:1)
Allianz Stadium, 19.600 Attendance, Ref Eisner

Goals: 0:1 Atanga (1.), 1:1 Kvilitaia (45.+2);

SK Rapid: Knoflach - Schösswendter (61./Szanto), Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann - Pavelic, Dibon, Schwab, Schrammel - S. Hofmann (73./Jelic), Kvilitaia, Traustason (46./Schaub);

Mattersburg: Kuster - Höller, Malic, Ortiz, Rath - Erhardt, Jano - Fran (65./Farkas), Atanga, Röcher (78./Pink) - Maierhofer (74./Mahrer);

Yellow Cards: Kvilitaia, S. Hofmann; Maierhofer, Röcher, Höller