Austria loses 1-2 in Wolfsberg

A double strike by Donis Avdijaj and Alessandro Schöpf gave the Carinthians an early lead despite the Violets dominating the game. Austria had several good chances, but Taeseok Lee only managed to score the consolation goal from a direct free kick to make it 1-2.

Head coach Stephan Helm had to do without Manprit Sarkaria, who suffered a serious knee injury in the match against Wattens. Helm made a few changes, with Philipp Maybach starting in defensive midfield alongside Kang Hee Lee. Abubakr Barry and Manfred Fischer played behind striker Johannes Eggestein. Philipp Wiesinger started in place of Dejan Radonjić in the back three.

Wolfsberger AC coach Ismail Atalan switched to a back four after the 0-1 defeat in Ried and made five changes to the starting line-up. Injured captain Dominik Baumgartner, Boris Matic, Simon Piesinger, Erik Kojzek and Angelo Gattermayer were all unavailable this time. Fabian Wohlmuth, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Marco Sulzner, Markus Pink and Donis Avdijaj were tasked with securing the first point after three consecutive defeats.

Austria dominated, WAC scored

Manfred Fischer had the first big chance in the 2nd minute after a free kick from Taeseok Lee, but Nikolas Polster prevented the visitors from taking an early lead. Nicolas Wimmer prevented Barry from scoring from a promising position, and after the resulting corner, Kang Hee Lee headed the ball wide of the goal (10'). Taeseok Lee failed to beat Polster after a great pass from Aleksandar Dragović (14').

Completely against the run of play, WAC took the lead with their first chance, Donis Avdijaj scoring with a header from a cross by Dejan Zukić to make it 1-0 (17'). Just a few minutes later, the hosts increased their lead to 2-0, Alessandro Schöpf scoring after good work from Avdijaj (21').

It took until the 31st minute before the Violets were able to make their mark offensively again. Eggestein shot over the goal after a cross from Taeseok Lee. Reinhold Ranftl, played in perfectly by Johannes Eggestein, failed to convert a great chance in the 40th minute, with team goalkeeper Polster saving. Austria went into the break 2-0 down.

Taeseok Lee's goal too little too late

After the break, Taeseok Lee took his third corner, Philipp Wiesinger volleyed his cross, but shot wide (48'). Lee himself shot over in the 55th minute. Shortly afterwards, Samuel Şahin-Radlinger made a great save to prevent Markus Pink from making it 3-0.

Stephan Helm sent out an offensive signal by substituting Kelvin Boateng for Philipp Maybach after an hour. WAC were down to ten men from the 60th minute onwards, with Chibuike Nwaiwu receiving two yellow cards within five minutes.  

Marko Raguž replaced Kang Hee Lee in the 70th minute. After a foul on Ranftl, Austria were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Taeseok Lee surprised Polster and scored via the inside of the post to make it 2-1 (73'). The game was wide open again.

After a cross from Lee, Raguž had a shot on goal, but Polster was lucky to prevent the Violets from equalising (75'). Boateng also failed to get past the Carinthian goalkeeper shortly afterwards (82'). Shortly before the end, Helm took his wingers off and brought on Matteo Schablas and debutant Marijan Österreicher.

In stoppage time, Şahin-Radlinger prevented a counterattack goal by Zukić, and the Violets' final offensive came to nothing. Austria Wien lost 2-1 to Wolfsberger AC.

Wolfsberger AC - Austria Wien 2-1 (2-0)

WAC: Polster; Wohlmuth, Diabate, Wimmer, Renner; Sulzner, Nwaiwu, Schöpf (38. Agyemang); Zukić, Pink (65. Piesinger), Avdijaj (78. Kojzek)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Wiesinger, Dragović, Plavotić; Ranftl (87. Österreicher), Maybach (58. Boateng), Kang Hee Lee (70. Raguž), Taeseok Lee (87. Schablas); Barry, Eggestein, Fischer

Goals: Avdijaj (17.), Schöpf (21.); Taeseok Lee (73.)

Yellow cards: Nwaiwu (55'), Piesinger (90'+4); Wiesinger (51'), Plavotić (62')

Yellow-red card: Nwaiwu (60')

Lavanttal Arena, referee Markus Greinecker