6-0! Violets win test match against Parndorf

Stephan Helm's team celebrates an easy 6-0 victory against Regionalliga newcomers Parndorf at the Heidebodenstadion. Noah Botic (2x), Dominik Fitz and Maurice Malone scored in the first half. After the break, the game was more subdued. Malone made it 5-0 in the 64th minute with his second goal, and Kelvin Boateng scored the final goal.

In their fifth pre-season friendly, our Violets travelled to Burgenland on Saturday afternoon to face the newly crowned Landesliga champions (and Regionalliga promoted team) SC-ESV Parndorf. The team led by player-coach Dominik Wydra featured a number of veteran Bundesliga players, including a warm reunion with former Violet Timo Schmelzer.

Good atmosphere, poor weather

A good 800 spectators, many of them dressed in violet, made their way to the Heidebodenstadion to give the Violets a warm welcome. Coach Stephan Helm opted for a back three with Philipp Wiesinger, Aleks Dragovic and new signing Kang Hee Lee, who once again impressed in the test match.

Botić takes the lead

In attack, Dominik Fitz and Manprit Sarkaria caused havoc behind strikers Maurice Malone and Noah Botic, who took the lead after ten tentative minutes: Malone stole the ball in the danger zone and Botić easily converted his cross (10'). The visitors promptly had their biggest chance before the break: Ranftl lost possession while moving forward, Dornhackl came rushing out of ambush and narrowly missed the equaliser (13').

Violets in goal-scoring mood

Austria then took control of the game, creating chances every minute: Parndorf goalkeeper Kraus saved a Fitz free kick (19') and a Malone shot on the turn (24'). When Guenouche blocked a cross from the home side, Fitz sensed an opportunity and nutmegged Kraus to make it 2-0 (25'). After a pass from Sarkaria, Malone took on the Parndorf defence and saw Botić in the middle – 3-0 (27'). The Violets remained hungry: Sarkaria failed with a diving header (31'), but Malone did better and, after a pass from Guenouche, made it 4-0 from close range (32').

Quieter second half

The second half was a little more subdued at the start, with Austria continuing to dominate but taking a more leisurely approach. After Maurice Malone had failed to find the net shortly before, our number 77 scored his second goal after 64 minutes. The Violets were not satisfied yet: substitute Boateng skilfully controlled a long pass from Radonjic with his chest and gave goalkeeper Kraus no chance (74').

Stephan Helm: ‘We can take a lot away from this game. We were able to integrate some new players who did well today. With regard to the cup and the European Cup game, it was certainly a good test because we expect to face opponents who play deep. We have to start performing now, the warm-up is over!’

Austria Wien – SC-ESV Parndorf 6-0 (4-0)

Austria: Kos; Wiesinger (65' Maybach), Dragović, Lee (65' Radonjić); Guenouche (65' Schablas), Fischer, Ranftl (55' Pazourek); Fitz, Sarkaria (46' Plavotić), Malone (70' Raguž), Botić (70' Boateng)

Goals: Botić (10', 27'), Fitz (25'), Malone (32', 64'), Boateng (74')

Heidebodenstadion, Parndorf, referee Thomas Kaplan