Austria wins the first leg of the play-off with 2-1

Name: FK Austria Wien
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Austria Wien put themselves in a good position for the play-off final against Hartberg with a 2-1 home win. James Holland and Dominik Fitz scored for the Violets in front of a great crowd in Vienna-Favoriten. The second leg will take place on Tuesday at 7 pm in Hartberg. At stake is the last European Cup ticket to qualify for Q2 of the UEFA Conference League.

GEPA

Coach Christian Wegleitner made three changes to the starting line-up compared to the 2-1 win in the play-off semi-final against WAC. Andreas Gruber, James Holland and Hakim Guenouche replaced Alex Schmidt, Marvin Potzmann and Frans Krätzig in the starting XI.

After a committed start with high pressing, the Violets created the first two good scoring chances of the game after just under half an hour. Andreas Gruber (26') ran towards the Hartberg goal from the half-right after a lofted pass from Fisnik Asllani and was denied by a strong save from goalkeeper Sallinger. Dominik Fitz narrowly missed the target from the edge of the box after Matteo Meisl's preparatory work (29').

Goalkeeper Christian Früchtl had no problems with Bowat's header from a Hartberg corner (32'). Fisnik Asllani was more dangerous on the counter-attack when he headed a Fitz corner just wide of the goal (33').

Holland dream goal & Fitz penalty for victory

At the start of the second half, Moritz Wels, who had replaced Asllani at the break, had the lead on his feet after Andi Gruber provided him with an ideal cross (46'), but he failed to beat Sallinger from close range. James Holland then made his grand entrance: The veteran hammered the ball into the corner of the net from a corner kick - a dream goal to give the Violets a 1-0 lead (51').

Seven minutes later, the Generali Arena erupted in cheers again. Dominik Fitz converted a penalty after a foul on Mandi Fischer in his usual style to make it 2-0 (58'). At the other end, Chris Früchtl produced a brilliant save from Hartberg striker Entrup (59').

Frans Krätzig, who came on as a substitute, put in a remarkable solo run ten minutes before the end and fed Moritz Wels, who was playing as a striker for the first time in the second half, who shot over (82'). At the other end, Maximilian Entrup scored the equaliser for Hartberg with a powerful shot (84').

Austria Vienna - TSV Hartberg 2-1 (0-0)

Austria: Früchtl; Handl, Plavotić, Meisl; Pazourek (Potzmann 82'), Holland, Fischer, Guenouche (Krätzig 71'); Gruber (Šaljić 90+2'), Asllani (Wels 46'), Fitz (Schmidt 90+2')

Hartberg: Sallinger; Heil, Komposch, Bowat, Pfeifer; Sangare, Diakite (Prokop 58'), Kainz ( Halwachs 90+1'); Frieser (Providence 77'), Avdijaj, Fillafer (Entrup 46')

Goals: Holland (51'), Fitz (58', penalty); Entrup (84')

Yellow cards: Wels (47'), Šaljić (90+6'); Heil (30'), Avdijaj (85')

Referee Gishamer; Generali-Arena, 10,788 spectators