A 2–0 win in Latvia to kick off the season

Austria Wien celebrated a well-deserved 2–0 away win in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League against Latvian side FK Liepāja. Florian Wustinger and Moritz Wels, both scoring their first goals for the Violets, have put the team in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Vienna in a week’s time.

To kick off the season in Latvia, head coach Stephan Helm fielded the same starting XI as in the team’s last, successful friendly against Paksi FC. Samuel Şahin-Radlinger started in goal, with a back three comprising new signings Ibrahim Buhari and Jonas Feddersen alongside Kang Hee Lee. Florian Wustinger and Manfred Fischer formed the defensive midfield, with Reinhold Ranftl and Matteo Schablas starting on the wings. Up front, Helm fielded Vasilije Marković, Johannes Eggestein and Sanel Šaljić. Aleksandar Dragović and Taeseok Lee were not yet ready for the starting line-up; both took their places on the bench. Philipp Wiesinger and Johannes Handl were absent through injury.

FK Liepāja, managed by Estonian coach Vladimir Vassiljev, are fifth in the league. Former Violets player Marvin Martins missed the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League due to a red-card suspension.  

Wustinger put the Violets ahead

Austria started brightly, whilst the Latvians tried to hold them off with physical play. Manfred Fischer had the first chance with a header from a Matteo Schablas corner. The ball hit the side netting (11’). Ede Oloko got on the end of the ball in the penalty area in the 18th minute but squandered the good opportunity. Abiodun Ogunniyi fired in a shot from long range, which Şahin-Radlinger saved comfortably (22’). After half an hour, the ‘Veilchen’ had reason to celebrate: following a free-kick from Eggestein, Fischer headed the ball back to Florian Wustinger, who scored the opening goal with a powerful shot on the turn – his first goal for the first team.

A good run by Jonas Feddersen put Sanel Šaljić in a good position, but the move came to nothing more than a corner (35'). Eggestein, following a pass from Ranftl, shot just wide of the far post (44'). The teams went into the half-time break with the narrow lead for Austria Wien.

Wels added another goal

At half-time, Stephan Helm made two substitutions: Aleksandar Dragović came on for Kang Hee Lee, whilst Moritz Wels replaced Sanel Šaljić, who was on a yellow card. Wels immediately had a good chance following a long pass, but his shot went just wide of the goal (50'). A bicycle kick from Oloko landed wide of the goal (51'). A cross from Marković found Jojo Eggestein, who laid the ball off to Moritz Wels. His first shot with his left foot was blocked, but his second attempt with his right found the net – 0–2 (55’).

Shortly afterwards, Wels had another good chance following a build-up by Ranftl, but a Latvian player’s leg got in the way (58'). Julian Hettwer made his debut for Austria on the hour mark, with Vasilije Marković leaving the pitch. Johannes Eggestein also had a very good chance in the 64th minute, but his shot was blocked. Philipp Maybach came on for the top German striker; Austria had the game – from a supporters’ perspective – well under control in Latvia.  

Schablas had a golden opportunity following a pass from Wels, but was unlucky as one of his own players got in the way of his shot following a misunderstanding (74'). Aleksandar Dragović threw himself in the way of a shot from Oloko (79'). Shortly before the end, Valentin Toifl came on for Ibrahim Buhari and immediately prevented the Latvians from pulling one back with a superb save in the 88th minute. Manfred Fischer fired over the bar in stoppage time, and Austria secured a 2–0 victory away at FK Liepāja following a fine performance.

FK Liepāja – Austria Wien 0–2 (0–1)

Liepāja: Ošs; Straalman, Korotkovs, Isajevs, Sorokins (68’ Korobenko); Strumia, Ekou (68’ Patijčuks); Haidara, Leidsman (86’ Untulis), Ogunniyi (75’ Leite); Oloko

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Buhari (83’ Toifl), Kang Hee Lee (45’ Dragović), Feddersen; Ranftl, Wustinger, Fischer, Schablas; Marković (60’ Hettwer), Eggestein (72’ Maybach), Šaljić (45. Wels)

Goals: Wustinger (31.), Wels (55.)

Yellow Cards: Haidara (33.); Šaljić (16.)

Sloka Stadium, Jūrmala, referee Helgi Mikael Jónasson (Iceland), 1,000 spectators