NEWS
Breakthrough! Austria celebrates first win of the season
Austria Wien secures their first Bundesliga win of the season. For the East Styrians, however, it's their historically worst league start.
Austria Wien celebrates their first win of the season on Matchday 3 of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga. The Violets secured a 2-0 victory against TSV Hartberg, thus passing the red lantern to the East Styrians.
For Hartberg, the historical false start is complete: After three opening defeats, TSV has no points after three matchdays for the first time in their Bundesliga history.
Austria would also have set a negative record with a defeat – three consecutive opening losses had never occurred in the Violets' Bundesliga history.
Hartberg Starts Better
The hosts got off to a better start and created significantly more danger in the opening phase.
After eight minutes, starting XI debutant Jonas Karner cut in from the right and shot from about 20 meters. Defender Ibrahim Buhari cleared for a corner, from which Fabian Wilfinger then headed just wide of the goal.
Just four minutes later, Marco Hoffmann cut in from the right after a strong solo run and shot with his left foot towards the far corner. Florian Wustinger, however, was in position and deflected the ball for a corner.
In the immediate counter-attack, Austria created their first dangerous opportunity in front of the Hartberg goal through Julian Hettwer, but the offensive player's shot went significantly wide.
Shortly after, Samuel Sahin-Radlinger prevented the hosts from taking the lead: Kang-hee Lee lost the ball about 25 meters from his own goal to Tobias Kainz. The Hartberg captain played it through to the advancing Paul Komposch, whose shot from a tight angle was saved by the Austria keeper at the near post (16').
Nnodim Scores Dream Goal to Take the Lead
After about 20 minutes, the game increasingly tilted in favor of the Viennese. Austria took control and were rewarded with the lead in the 33rd minute.
After a cross from Reinhold Ranftl, Hartberg failed to clear the ball from the danger zone. Tae-seok Lee secured the second ball and laid it off for Daniel Nnodim. The only 18-year-old attacking player took aim and magnificently placed the ball into the top right corner from almost 20 meters. A dream goal for the first Bundesliga goal of his career – and for Austria's 1-0 lead.
Hartberg almost had the perfect response. Oliver Lukic took a shot directly after the restart, but his effort, placed a little too centrally, was once again saved by Sahin-Radlinger (35').
The teams eventually went into the break with Austria holding a narrow lead.
Austria Seals Victory in Second Half
Austria emerged from the changing rooms better. Tae-seok Lee missed the target shortly after the restart with a powerful long-range shot (46').
Shortly after, Johannes Handl prevented a potential equalizer. Lukic shot from distance, the effort was dangerously deflected and almost went past Sahin-Radlinger into the goal. However, Handl got his foot in the way, decisively taking the pace off the ball (53').
Hartberg continued to create chances through crosses, but remained too imprecise. After a Kainz free-kick cross, Komposch headed it down for Hoffmann, whose shot went just wide of the left post (57').
Austria coach Stephan Helm reacted by bringing on three key players – Vasilije Markovic, Manfred Fischer, and Johannes Eggestein – at this stage. The substitutions paid off.
Hettwer Provides the Decider
Finally, the decision came in the 76th minute. Manfred Fischer played a superb pass right into the channel, Julian Hettwer ran alone towards Armin Pecsi and superbly chipped the Hartberg goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
This was also Hettwer's first Bundesliga goal of his career.
Hartberg found no further response. Shortly before the end, however, Sahin-Radlinger prevented a consolation goal: Angelo Gattermayer strongly beat several Austria players on the left side and powerfully shot towards the near post. The Austria keeper saved for a corner (79').
In stoppage time, Pecsi prevented a heavier defeat against Eggestein (90+1').
Thus, Austria confidently secured their first Bundesliga win of the season and climbed to ninth place. Hartberg, on the other hand, remains at the bottom of the table without a point.
For the East Styrians, the season continues next Saturday with an away game at SCR Altach. Austria faces a challenge on Thursday in the Conference League play-off against SC Braga and has no Bundesliga fixture next weekend.
