A bitter defeat: Austria lose to WSG

Austria suffered a 0–1 defeat to WSG Tirol; a goal from a corner by Drew Murray decided the match in favour of the Tyroleans. The Violets put in a lot of effort for long periods, but lacked the necessary ruthlessness and cutting edge in the final third.

Manager Stephan Helm made six changes to his starting line-up compared with Sunday’s match in Salzburg. In defence, Johannes Handl and Jonas Feddersen were new additions to the team. Kang Hee Lee was left out, with Reinhold Ranftl moving into the right-hand midfield position in his place. Manfred Fischer and Florian Wustinger operated in central midfield, whilst Vasilije Marković moved into the attack in place of Julian Hettwer. On the left flank, Taeseok Lee took Matteo Schablas’s place, and Sanel Šaljić made way for Kelvin Boateng in attack.

WSG Tirol had celebrated a 4–0 victory at Austria Lustenau, and manager Philipp Semlic saw no reason to make any changes.  

No goals before half-time

The match in Vienna got under way without much attacking flair from either side. Although Austria looked keen to take control in the opening minutes, clear-cut chances or dangerous shots on goal were still a long time coming. The first real chance ultimately fell to the visitors from Tyrol. Nikolai Baden Frederiksen took a free-kick from a promising position but sent the ball well wide of the right-hand post (10’). A bicycle kick from Kelvin Boateng went over the bar, though a goal would not have counted due to a previous handball (23’). Following a corner flicked on by David Gugganig, Marc Striednig got on the end of the ball but, fortunately, only hit the post (25’). Samuel Şahin-Radlinger made a fine save against Baden Frederiksen after a mistake in the build-up (36’).

At the other end, Reinhold Ranftl had the Veilchen’s first shot on goal from a promising position following a pass from Manfred Fischer, but his effort was too central (37'). A good shot from Marković was deflected wide by one of his own teammates (45'). Marković went down in the penalty area in first-half stoppage time, but the referee did not award a penalty – 0–0 at half-time.

Wattens scored from a corner; late push went unrewarded

There were no substitutions at half-time, and the Veilchen had the first chance: Marco Boras cleared a strong cross from Taeseok Lee to Johannes Eggestein at the last moment. The same situation occurred just a minute later, with the ball sailing past both friend and foe (52’, 53’). On the hour mark, Helm made substitutions, bringing on Kang Hee Lee and Julian Hettwer for Wustinger and Boateng. Following a corner, the visitors from Tyrol took the lead, with Drew Murray eventually pushing the ball over the line (66’).

Sanel Šaljić replaced defender Feddersen, and Helm switched to a back four. Goiginger shot into the side netting, but the move was blown off for offside (76'). Goalkeeper Hamzic saved a header from Ranftl following a fine cross from Taeseok Lee (77'). The Tyroleans remained a threat on the counter-attack; Olakigbe had the chance to seal the win following a pass from Goiginger, but missed (83').

In the closing minutes, the Veilchen pushed for an equaliser. Kang Hee Lee fired a shot over the bar; shortly afterwards, Matteo Schablas came on for Taeseok Lee (85'). Hamzic made a last-ditch clearance in front of Eggestein, and time was running out for Austria. Even goalkeeper Samuel Şahin-Radlinger pushed forward in stoppage time for a final attack, but it was to no avail. Austria had to accept a bitter 0–1 defeat against WSG Tirol.

Austria Wien – WSG Tirol 0–1 (0–0)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Handl, Dragović, Feddersen (70’ Šaljić); Ranftl, Wustinger (59’ Kang Hee Lee), Fischer, Taeseok Lee; Marković, Eggestein, Boateng (59’ Hettwer)

Wattens: Hamzic; Murray, Boras, Gugganig, Oswald; Satin, Striednig; Balic (59’ Taferner), Goiginger (90’ Celic), Olakigbe (83’ Gschösser); Baden Frederiksen (83’ Hinterseer)

Goal: Murray (66.)

Yellow cards: Dragović (69.), Kang Hee Lee (81.), Schablas (90+4); Murray (35.), Striednig (79.)

Generali-Arena, 11.151 fans; referee Harald Lechner