Table Lead Extended! Rapid Also Wins Against Hartberg

SK Rapid continues to set the standard in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga!

On the ninth matchday, the Hütteldorf side celebrated a 3-1 home victory against TSV Hartberg, further extending their lead at the top of the table.

With 24 points, Rapid is now six points ahead of their closest pursuers, Red Bull Salzburg, who can catch up on Sunday against SCR Altach. Hartberg remains in fifth place with eleven points.

Dahl Gives Rapid Early Lead

The hosts got off to a dream start. After a free-kick from Yusuf Demir, Ercan Kara got a header, but couldn't seriously test Armin Pecsi (5').

Just one minute later, the net rippled: Bendeguz Bolla was sent deep by Demir and played a sharp low cross into the middle. After Tonni Adamsen and Kara missed, Petter Nosa Dahl was perfectly positioned at the far post and tapped in for 1-0 (6').

However, Hartberg was not deterred and subsequently got better into the game. A supposed equalizer from Marco Hoffmann was disallowed due to a narrow offside call against Magnus Dalpiaz in the build-up (14').

The visitors became increasingly dangerous. Dalpiaz narrowly missed the goal with a long-range shot (28'), before Youba Diarra forced Niklas Hedl into a save with a powerful attempt from around 30 meters. From the subsequent corner, Diarra again got a shot away and hit the post (34'). A little later, Angelo Gattermayer narrowly missed the top right corner (35').

Dahl Strikes Again Just Before Halftime

Rapid also remained dangerous: Bolla set up Dahl with a low cross, but Pecsi prevented the hosts' second goal with a strong save, using his head (36'). Shortly before halftime, Hedl was called into action again, clearing an awkward long-range shot from Manuel Pfeifer for a corner (44').

Just when Hartberg seemed close to an equalizer, Rapid struck clinically. After winning the ball high up the pitch, Adamsen played to Demir, who found Kara in the box. The striker unselfishly laid it off for the onrushing Dahl, who completed his brace and made it 2-0 (45'+1).

Hartberg Fights Back

The East Styrians emerged determined from the dressing room and were rewarded early.

Substitute Oliver Lukic, brought on at halftime, had plenty of space on the left wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post. Dalpiaz ran in there and beat Hedl with a bouncing header to make it 1-2 (49'). It was the 19-year-old's first Bundesliga goal.

Rapid took a moment to recover from the goal conceded but then regained control. Big scoring chances initially remained elusive. On the other side, the Green-Whites also conceded very little.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Marco Tilio had the chance for a perfect debut. After a lay-off from Demir, the Australian shot immediately, but narrowly missed the left corner.

Horn Seals the Deal

In the final phase, Hartberg could no longer build significant pressure. Meanwhile, Rapid secured the decisive goal.

After a strong solo run, Demir first hit the inside of the right post. Jannes Horn converted the rebound into the empty Hartberg net (81').

While the Hütteldorf side provisionally extended their league lead to six points, Hartberg's two-month unbeaten streak came to an end. The East Styrians' league position remained unchanged for now: they stayed fifth with eleven points.

Rapid's next match is a home game against promoted side Austria Lustenau next Saturday. Hartberg hosts WAC on the same day.