Austria loses to Bohemians Prague in XL test

At the end of their training camp, Austria Wien suffered a 2-4 defeat to Bohemians Prague in Stuben. Maurice Malone and new signing Kang Hee Lee scored the two impressive goals for the Violets. The match was played over two 60-minute halves.

The Violets played in their usual formation with a back three, which included Aleksandar Dragović, Tin Plavotić and 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Manprit Sarkaria started up front alongside Maurice Malone and Dominik Fitz, while Stephan Helm lined up in midfield alongside Reinhold Ranftl, Abubakr Barry, captain Manfred Fischer and Hakim Guenouche.

However, it was the Czechs who got off to the better start, with Samuel Şahin-Radlinger unable to stop a shot from close range following an attack down the left wing (5'). Austria did not let this throw them off their game and tried to equalise quickly, but Bohemians defended quite uncompromisingly and repeatedly caused problems for the Violets with high pressing in their own penalty area.

This was also the case in the 20th minute, when Austria lost possession and, shortly afterwards, a Czech striker found himself alone in front of Şahin-Radlinger after an unfortunate deflection from the Violets' point of view – 0-2. Just seconds later, Austria had their first real chance, with Barry shooting in the penalty area after a pass from Fitz, but failing to find the net (21').

Maurice Malone then scored the deserved goal with a powerful volley into the far corner (24'), much to the delight of the numerous Austria fans among the 750 spectators in Stuben. A shot from a good position by Sarkaria flew over the goal (39') and the Violets still lacked the final precision in the attacking third. Ranftl had the best chance to equalise, but his sharp shot at the near post was just saved (55').

Kang Hee Lee introduces himself with a dream goal

After the first hour, the Violets' coaching team made a complete change except for Dragović. The defensive leader was only replaced in the 76th minute by Philipp Wiesinger, who did not play last week and was only supposed to get 45 minutes of playing time today.

Austria now played with Mirko Kos in goal, with Dejan Radonjić and Johannes Handl coming into the game. New signing Kang Hee Lee was given his first chance to prove himself in midfield, playing alongside Philipp Maybach, with Luca Pazourek and Matteo Schablas on the wings. Marko Raguž, Konstantin Aleksa and Kelvin Boateng were given a chance in attack.

The Czechs also made a number of substitutions, and the Violets were now the better and more dangerous team. Boateng and Aleksa repeatedly caused problems for the opposition defence, but the equaliser came from a long-range shot. Kang Hee Lee took a chance from around 30 metres and buried the ball in spectacular fashion – 2-2 after 86 minutes! Shortly before that, Kos had distinguished himself in a one-on-one situation (84').

In the final quarter, the Bohemians found their way back into the game and took the lead again after 96 minutes. While the Violets tried hard and remained aggressive, the Czechs were successful on the counterattack, even though Radonjić was brought down in a running duel towards Kos in a manner that was not entirely in accordance with the rules (112'). The 2-4 was also the final score.

Stephan Helm: ‘We already know our opponents from last year, they are a very physical team and clear in their actions, but that's also important for us. We have to work on ourselves at this stage. Nothing will happen by itself, we have to work for every millimetre. The new players have already integrated quite well into the team, but you have to give them some time.’

Bohemians Prague – Austria Wien 4-2 (2-1)

Austria, 1st half: Şahin-Radlinger – Ndukwe, Dragović, Plavotić – Ranftl, Barry, Fischer, Guenouche – Sarkaria, Malone, Fitz

2nd half: Kos – Handl, Dragović (76' Wiesinger), Radonjić – Pazourek, Lee, Maybach, Schablas – Boateng, Raguž, Aleksa

Austria goals: Malone (24'), Lee (86')

Playing time: 2x60 minutes