0-2 defeat against WAC

Austria suffered a bitter 0-2 home defeat against WAC. Despite their best efforts, the Violets were unable to counter an early goal from Alessandro Schöpf and an unfortunate own goal from Kang Hee Lee. A supposed goal by Maurice Malone in injury time was disallowed due to a handball. The return leg against Baník Ostrava in the UEFA Conference League is already scheduled for Thursday.

Head coach Stephan Helm had to do without Aleksandar Dragović, who was unavailable due to a gluteal muscle injury. The back three consisted of Johannes Handl, Kang Hee Lee in the centre and Tin Plavotić. Manfred Fischer started in central midfield behind Manprit Sarkaria and Dominik Fitz, who played his 200th competitive game for Austria today. New signings Noah Botić and Johannes Eggestein started up front. Taeseok Lee received his eligibility in time and was in the matchday squad for the first time.

WAC achieved a remarkable 0-0 draw at PAOK Saloniki, with coach Dietmar Kühbauer making three changes: Fabian Wohlmuth, David Atanga and Dejan Zukic played in place of Boris Matic, Simon Piesinger and Donis Avdijaj.

WAC scored the goals

After an impressive choreography and warm congratulations on Herbert Prohaska's 70th birthday, Wolfsberger AC got off to a better start. David Atanga appeared in front of Samuel Şahin-Radlinger in the third minute, but our goalkeeper kept the upper hand. Shortly afterwards, our goalkeeper was powerless to prevent a long-range shot from Alessandro Schöpf from hitting the inside of the post and going into the goal – 0-1 in the sixth minute.

A nice move involving Noah Botić and Johannes Eggestein ended with Dominik Fitz, who unfortunately only managed to shoot the ball into the side netting (19'). At the other end, Kang Hee Lee attempted to clear a deflected cross from Fabian Wohlmuth, but the ball ended up in his own net – 0-2 (23').

Manprit Sarkaria shot wide, a shot from Eggestein was blocked, and Nikolas Polster saved an attempt from Reinhold Ranftl (25', 30', 31st) – the Violets tried to stay in the game. However, the visitors had the better chances towards the end of the first half, with Dominik Baumgartner missing the biggest one with a header in added time (45+3). Austria had to make up a 0-2 deficit in the second half.

The Violets did too little in the second half

Stephan Helm made a tactical change at half-time. Kang Hee Lee moved into central midfield, Philipp Wiesinger took his place in central defence. Noah Botić remained in his place in the dressing room. Taeseok Lee also made his debut, replacing Hakim Guenouche. WAC remained dangerous, with David Atanga missing another great chance for the cup winners (50'). Shortly afterwards, Helm made another change: Abubakr Barry and Maurice Malone came on for Handl and Eggestein. Kang Hee Lee switched to the right side of defence.

A shot from Taeseok Lee was deflected for a corner (57'). Polster was able to parry a good shot from Malone, and Ranftl's follow-up shot was deflected into the side netting (62'). Another attempt from Malone also hit the wrong side of the net, the third time that had happened that evening (67').

Sanel Šaljić replaced Tin Plavotić after his 100th game in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga – Austria now with a back four. Wiesinger and Şahin-Radlinger jointly prevented another goal by Zukic (77'), and a well-placed shot by Šaljić went just over (79'). Maurice Malone scored the supposed 1-2 in injury time after a pass from Ranftl, but the goal was disallowed by referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca due to a handball by Ranftl.

The match against WAC was lost 0-2.

Austria Wien - Wolfsberger AC 0-2 (0-2)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Handl (56' Barry), Kang Hee Lee, Plavotić (71' Šaljić); Ranftl, Fischer, Guenouche (46' Taeseok Lee); Sarkaria, Fitz; Eggestein (56' Malone), Botić (46' Wiesinger)

WAC: Polster; Baumgartner, Diabate, Wimmer; Wohlmuth, Agyemang (46' Sulzner), Zukic (78' Avdijaj), Schöpf (71' Piesinger), Renner; Atanga (88' Hajdini), Ballo (71' Gattermayer)

Goals: Schöpf (6'), Kang Hee Lee (23', own goal)

Yellow cards: Sarkaria (68') Fitz (75'); Ballo (59'), Sulzner)

Generali Arena, referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca, 13,093 spectators