"Disrespectful" - Scheiblehner Slams Fourth Official

Led twice and still didn't win!

Nevertheless, GAK remains undefeated in their fourth game under new coach Gerald Scheiblehner. In the league, they now have two draws and one win. Additionally, the cup match in Kitzbühel was won.

Against the "Veilchen" (Violets), the "Rotjacken" (Red Jackets) were close to their second consecutive win, but in the end, Kang-hee Lee scored the equalizer for Austria, making it 2-2.

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Scheiblehner Criticizes the Fourth Official

At GAK, frustration clearly prevails after the final whistle. The Graz team led twice through Alexander Hofleitner and Jacob Italiano, but had to accept the 2-2 equalizer in a strange situation.

According to the referee, Christian Lichtenberger took too long to leave the field. His substitute, Anthony Smits, therefore had to wait a minute on the sideline. Precisely during this phase, Lee scored the late equalizer.

GAK coach Gerald Scheiblehner therefore criticizes the Fourth Official in particular. The new coach described his behaviour in the "Sky" interview as "disrespectful".

"Such a young lad, and then he treats us coaches condescendingly in a certain way that I honestly don't understand. We coaches have a lot of emotions, and yet we were more respectful towards the Fourth Official than he was to us, and that's simply not right."

At the same time, Scheiblehner admits that his team couldn't maintain the first-half tempo for 90 minutes. With five points from the first three games under the new coach, GAK nevertheless remains undefeated.

Italiano: "Three Points Would Have Been Very Nice"

For Jacob Italiano, it was a special evening on his starting XI comeback after a long injury break. The 25-year-old scored to make it 2-1 and had to be substituted towards the end due to cramps in both calves.

"I've worked a lot in recent months to get fit again. Today was a very good moment for me. It would have been even better if it had been the winning goal," says Italiano.

He, too, is annoyed about the missed chance for a home win: "It's a bit bitter when you don't win at home after leading 1-0 and 2-1. One point is better than zero, but three would have been very nice today."

Hofleitner: "The Last 30 Minutes Were Not Enough"

Goalscorer Alexander Hofleitner attributes the reasons for the draw primarily to the course of the game after the break. "The last 30 minutes were perhaps a bit too little," states the 26-year-old.

At the same time, Hofleitner is satisfied with the overall development under Scheiblehner. "He brings great energy. Now we are so in sync that we also understand his plan," says the forward.

Scheiblehner himself primarily sees a change in his team's attitude. "The biggest lever was in the team's energy," explains the GAK coach. "Giving everything on the pitch and playing bravely."

After the international break, however, two tough tasks await the Graz team: First, Red Bull Salzburg will visit Graz, followed by the derby against Sturm.