Boateng's winning goal sends Austria into jubilation

In a hard-fought match, Austria Wien narrowly but deservedly beat TSV Hartberg 1-0, thereby keeping pace with the top four in the table. Substitute Kelvin Boateng scored a fine goal to put his side ahead in the 69th minute. The rehearsal for the Vienna derby can be described as a success.

The objective was crystal clear. In the penultimate home game of the season, three points were a must if the team were to stay in touch with the top four in the table. Coach Stephan Helm said ahead of the match that he wanted to see a proactive and courageous team. Johannes Eggestein and Abu Barry, two key players who had been sorely missed recently, returned to the starting line-up.  

A tame first half

No sooner said than done. The Violets started dominantly, but initially found no way past Hartberg’s typically compact defence. The first tentative attempt on goal came in the 9th minute: Saljić intercepted a pass, but Fischer slipped. Shortly afterwards, Saljić broke into the Hartberg penalty area and shot the ball onto Wilfinger’s hand from close range (12.), but neither referee Gishamer nor the VAR wanted to review the incident a second time. Play continued: a Lee corner landed on Tin Plavotic’s forehead, but the towering Ritzy Hülsmann was perfectly positioned (18.). An Eggestein cross was just cleared for a corner by Schopp (28.). Saljić, who had been making his mark up to that point, was injured shortly afterwards in a challenge with Jürgen Heil and was replaced by Vasilje Marković in the same position after 35 minutes. The pace, like the willingness of both teams to take risks, remained modest. The teams went into the break goalless.

Boateng: The super-sub makes the difference

There was still something at stake for the East Styrians too. TSV coach Manfred Schmid brought on the sought-after top scorer Elias Havel in place of Tobias Kainz. Although the spaces opened up, there was no real exchange of blows to begin with. Both teams lacked attacking punch; the Violets were too cumbersome, the Hartbergers too disorganised. After 65 minutes, the Austria fans saw the best chance of the match so far: Ranftl picked up speed, played it into the middle, where Eggestein was denied by Hülsmann. Less than five minutes later – at last – the deserved opening goal for the Violets: Wiesinger’s long ball bounced onto Boateng’s shoulder. The substitute bamboozled his opponents and chipped Hülsmann from twelve metres (69.). Austria managed their narrow lead skilfully, kept a clean sheet at the back and secured the three points.

With this narrow but thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory, the Violets pull away from Hartberg and move a little closer to the top four in the table once again. The dress rehearsal for the big Vienna derby next Sunday (5.00 pm) can also be described as a success.

Austria Wien – TSV Hartberg 1–0 (0–0)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Wiesinger, Dragović, Plavotić; Ranftl, Maybach (57. Boateng), Fischer, Tae-seok Lee; Saljić (35. Marković), Barry (80. Handl); Eggestein

Hartberg: Hülsmann; Pazourek, Schopp (88. Coulibaly), Spendlhofer (77. Illafer), Hennig (77. Kovaćević); Heil ©, Markus, Wilfinger, Kainz (46. Havel), Hoffmann; Fridrikas (77. Korherr)

Goal: Boateng (69.)

Yellow card: Barry (65.)

Generali Arena, 13,900 fans; Referee: Sebastian Gishamer