Rapid's European dream is shattered: "That's why it hurts all the more"

The playoff thriller for UEFA Conference League qualification ended in tragedy on Wednesday evening in Vienna-Hütteldorf.

After over 120 minutes of nerve-wracking drama, SK Rapid misses out on international competition. A strong first half turned into a rollercoaster ride for Green-White - with a tragic end from the penalty spot.

Ercan Kara and Matthias Seidl struggled to find the right words after the match.

Promising 45 Minutes

Ercan Kara - scorer of the temporary 1-0 goal - couldn't quite grasp that the dream of European football had actually been shattered. "Unbelievable, Rapid belongs in Europe and we didn't achieve that. It just hurts," Kara said in an interview with LAOLA1.

The fateful match actually began very promisingly from a Green-White perspective, in front of a magnificent crowd of 23,000 spectators.

In the first 45 minutes, Rapid once again showed strong attacking combinations, creating numerous scoring opportunities - which ultimately led to a deserved opening goal by Ercan Kara. The striker also felt: "We did well in the first half. We kept the ball moving well."

Midfield colleague Seidl: "The first half was good, not completely dominant, but good."

"When the opponent already has a red card..."

After half-time - just like in the first leg - came the dip. Rapid once again allowed the Scots to find their strengths.

Seidl: "The opponent had a few attacking plays, they pushed themselves. We committed many unnecessary fouls around the box. There were a few consecutive actions that led to many set pieces. We couldn't get out of these situations for the rest of the game."

Ercan Kara echoed the sentiment: "We lost momentum. You have to be lucky that you even make it to a penalty shootout. We simply have to play smarter. And then you just make a lot of fouls. Then you make the opponent strong and they are good at set pieces. That's too easy."

Not even the red card after 76 minutes could bring about a turnaround. "If the opponent already has a red card and you are already ahead, you have to win the home game," captain Seidl concluded soberly.

The manner of defeat hurts

The manner in which the decision was ultimately made capped off a truly black evening.

Kara: "Ultimately, in a penalty shootout, there's pressure and an element of luck. We didn't make it. When you concede the equaliser so late after scoring, it hurts all the more because you've given everything for 120 minutes."

Seidl particularly highlighted the positive course of the season so far: "Of course, it's extremely bitter, especially when you consider the last few weeks. We really delivered great performances then. When you're eliminated from the playoffs with two draws, it definitely hurts."

The tragic figures of that Wednesday evening were ultimately Moulaye Haidara and Marco Tilio. The two substitute attacking players missed from the penalty spot - and were left devastated.

Kara assured his teammates of his full support and understanding: "Anyone who has ever missed a penalty knows how bitter that moment feels. But life goes on and the boys are sad, but we'll get them through it.