Rapid Women: Promotion is the Perfect End to the Season!

The stage was set, and a major step was within reach for the SK Rapid Women. After a comfortable win over Traiskirchen, another victory against SC Bad Sauerbrunn would seal promotion to the 2. Frauen Bundesliga, Austrian second-highest women’s league.

Kayleigh Van Niehoff was between the posts once more; in front of her the usual back three consisted of Victoria Leitner-Garcia, Tina Charwat and Birgit Muck; Sandrina Haupt would direct proceedings from the centre; Tatjana Tinesz and Vanessa Rauter were there to add some potency to the attack; Lisa Rammel and Tabea Aitenbichler gave the flanks the necessary pace and depth; Jasmin König and Aldijana Masinovic were the strike-partners lurking up-front!

The Rapid team set the tone early on: Vanessa Rauter helped to open the scoring with a strong solo run down the left flank, then finding Lisa Rammel, who finished calmly to make it 1-0 (2'). Less than three minutes later, the next goal almost followed - a long-range shot from Victoria Leitner-Garcia just missed the far post. Rapid dictated the game, Bad Sauerbrunn stood deep but were able to create space occasionally with long balls.

Jasmin König narrowly missed from a good position in the 17th minute, but just a few minutes later, the ball was back in the net: Vanessa Rauter made it 2-0 (23') after some fine preparatory work - and added a third goal in the 29th minute. By now it was clear that Rapid were firmly in control!

Lisa Rammel even made it 4-0 (39'), before Vanessa Rauter scored again to make it 5-0 (45') having been set-up well by Rammel and Jasmin König. The margin at the break was therefore looking comfortable, and the team stood on the cusp of promotion!

Viktoria Bittendorfer, Lana Khalaf, Sophia Johnston and Kristina Decker came on at the break and the second half began as the first had ended: Vanessa Rauter scored for the fourth time on the night for a swift 6-0 (49')! After that, Khalaf, Johnston, König and Muck also added to the long list of chances, but either the goalkeeper made the stop, or the necessary precision was just lacking. Lisa Hoyda was also given a chance with 20 minutes to play, replacing Birgit Muck (70').

In the 85th minute, Lana Khalaf left her opponents' heads spinning: The attacker danced past one opponent after the other and eventually also the goalkeeper - 7-0 (85'). The final goal was fittingly scored by Aldijana Masinovic in the 90th minute after a pinpoint cross from Hoyda.

The resounding victory in the play-off marked the crowning glory of a historic season - unbeaten in the league, cup and the play-off; with a title, a promotion and a clear message: Rapid’s Women are a team to be taken very seriously indeed! As the curtain falls on this season, the applause belongs entirely to this ensemble who are proudly representing Green & White!

Thanks also to SC Bad Sauerbrunn and all the fans who travelled with us for the big game! See you in the 2. Bundesliga very soon!

Pictures: Chaluk