This Derby Defeat Gives Austria Hope

"Undeserved Defeat"

What looks like a clear victory for the in-excellent-form Hütteldorfers on paper was not at all the case.

"A very painful, undeserved defeat," Sahin-Radlinger believes. Especially in the first half, it was not discernible which of the two teams on the pitch was currently deep in crisis.

The Violets took control after the opening minutes; the Greens found no solution at all.

Problems in Front of Goal

Fischer says: "We had a great plan, implemented it brilliantly, developed energy. Everyone felt that something was possible."

However, the final pass was often missing, and with Vasilije Markovic's shot hitting the crossbar, sheer luck was also absent.

"We should be leading, the game was in their half for 40 minutes, but the truly compelling scoring chances were missing," Sahin-Radlinger knows.

test — Hängende Köpfe unmittelbar nach dem Schlusspfiff
Foto: ©GEPA

And so, the violet misfortune took its course. After an hour, Yusuf Demir gave SCR the lead with a penalty goal. It was already the sixth penalty awarded against FAK in the current championship.

In the 83rd minute, the Rapid players, who had improved after taking the lead, sealed the deal because a Mbuyi 'candle' (a high, looping shot) after a corner led to a slapstick action, where Sahin-Radlinger deflected the ball against the post, from which Taeseok Lee was hit and sent the ball into his own net.

"You see week after week what unlucky goals we concede," the Austria goalie complains.

A Positive Impression Remains

And yet, ultimately, a quite positive impression remains. Coach Max Uhlig speaks of a performance that was "absolutely fine."

His conclusion: "It's not nice to look at the table. But today you saw that we don't belong there."

New Hope

The Violets have, on what was a bitter evening from their perspective, regained hope.

"I'm not worried that we will all get out of this situation together. It is very tiring. But I am not one to give up. I believe in it!" says Captain Fischer.