NEWS
No Coaching Effect: WAC Loses as Schmid Makes Comeback in Hartberg
Hartberg dominated for long spells during Manfred Schmid's comeback to the WAC dugout, with a late goal from Konstantin Schopp ultimately deciding the match.
Wolfsberger AC also loses in the tenth round of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, despite Manfred Schmid's comeback as manager.
The visitors could only keep pace with Hartberg in the final stages of the first half, with Hartberg creating several top chances, especially after the restart. Ultimately, Konstantin Schopp decided the match with a late goal.
The early stages immediately belonged to the East Styrians. After an initial probing phase, the hosts took control, with Angelo Gattermayer hitting the side netting with a free-kick (14th minute) and Nikolaus Feldhofer firing from distance (17th minute) creating the first danger.
Penalty Drama in Hartberg's Box
WAC sat deep and initially only threatened Hartberg's goal from set pieces. One such situation led to penalty claims when, after a scramble in the box, Marco Sulzner went down in a challenge with Marco Hoffmann. However, referee Josef Spurny did not point to the spot after a brief VAR review (23rd minute).
While the hosts, who at times boasted over 70% possession, struggled somewhat afterwards, the Carinthians (WAC) found their way into the game, particularly towards the end of the first half – though Armin Pecsi was on hand to deny a double chance from Giacomo Vrioni and Aaron Sky Schwarz (41st minute).
Hartberg Squanders Huge Chances
Hartberg emerged strongly from the dressing room: Pecsi was alert to a low cross from Hoffmann (48th minute), while a shot from Gattermayer went just over the bar (49th minute).
Afterwards, the hosts had a huge chance to take the lead: Gattermayer was perfectly played through in the box and delivered a low cross, but Hoffmann failed to convert it (50th minute).
Eight minutes later, danger arose again in WAC's penalty area: a shot from Magnus Dalpiaz slipped through Gliklich in the box, but Fabian Wohlmuth was able to clear off the line.
Schopp Delivers Late for Hartberg
After that, many errors crept into Hartberg's play, yet the game continued to flow in only one direction. In contrast, WAC offered nothing more in the second half.
In the final minutes, however, the hosts finally struck: after a chance from substitute Andrija Radulovic, Tobias Kainz played a dangerous ball back into the box, finding Konstantin Schopp in the middle, who headed in the celebrated 1-0 (85th minute).
The East Styrians provisionally move up to fifth place in the table, while the Lavanttalers (WAC) remain at the bottom.
