Conference League thriller – Austria through to the play-offs

Beitar Jerusalem took a 2–0 lead through goals from Omer Atzili and Johnbosco Kalu, with Kelvin Boateng scoring a consolation goal for the Violets. With the aggregate score at 3–3, the match went into extra time, which ended goalless. In the penalty shoot-out, Samuel Şahin-Radlinger saved a penalty from Muzie, whilst Sanel Šaljić sealed promotion to the Conference League play-offs against SC Braga with the decisive goal.

Manager Stephan Helm stuck to his rotation policy and made a few changes to his starting line-up once again. Compared to the first leg, however, the team’s line-up changed in only two positions. Aleksandar Dragović and Moritz Wels started in place of Ibrahim Buhari and Johannes Handl. This meant that the Veilchen lined up with a back four. Alongside Dragović, Jonas Feddersen started, with Daniel Nnodim and Matteo Schablas occupying the wide positions. Wels, Philipp Maybach, Vasilije Marković and captain Manfred Fischer formed the midfield, whilst Kelvin Boateng and Julian Hettwer led the line. Johannes Eggestein was absent due to a minor hip injury.

Beitar Jerusalem had no match at the weekend; manager Almog Cohen dropped Gil, Yarden Cohen and Shon Weissman from the team, with Luka Gadrani, Nevo Shedo and Johnbosco Kalu given a chance to play.  

Beitar took the lead

The match was evenly balanced at the start, but Austria quickly created the better chances. Fischer delivered a fine cross to Schablas, whose cut-back was snatched away from Boateng by goalkeeper Silva (9'). A shot from Wels following a counter-attack via Hettwer was blocked (13'). A few seconds later, Wels played the ball through to Hettwer, but the German was denied by the Israeli goalkeeper (14'). A shot from Dagats Worko – slightly deflected – went narrowly wide of the goal (19'). Attempts by Shua and Atzili were even further off target (20', 22'). Following a header by Jonas Feddersen from a free-kick by Daniel Nnodim (31'), Omer Atzili aimed much better this time, with the Israeli finding the far corner to make it 0–1 (32').

A shot from Marković was deflected for a corner, whilst a shot from Boateng was saved (37', 38'). At half-time, the tie was level at 2–2 on aggregate.

Beitar scored again, but Boateng kept Austria in the game

Both teams came out of the dressing rooms with unchanged line-ups; shots from Feddersen and Boateng went well over the bar (53'). However, it was Beitar who scored: Johnbosco Kalu found the net with a follow-up after Samuel Şahin-Radlinger had managed to parry a shot from Shua – 0–2 (56'). Austria didn’t give up, though; Julian Hettwer won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired in a shot. Silva deflected the ball forward, and Kelvin Boateng pounced – the Violets were back in the game (58’).

After that, Maybach, Wels and Hettwer made way for Florian Wustinger, Reinhold Ranftl and Sanel Šaljić. Omer Atzili, who had scored the opening goal, was fortunate to hit the post in the 63rd minute. Hasan Deshishku replaced Boateng 20 minutes before full-time, and shortly afterwards Taeseok Lee came on for Schablas. Shua scored for the visitors following a counter-attack, but was offside (75').

Right at the very end of normal time, Deshishku had a chance following a pass from Fischer. Fischer himself was set up perfectly by Ranftl shortly afterwards, but the ball bounced away just as he was about to shoot (86', 87'). Şahin-Radlinger tipped a header from Carabali away from the corner (90+2'), and the match went into extra time.

No goals in extra time; Austria won on penalties

Following a corner, Carabali once again had a header from close range, but Şahin-Radlinger made a superb save (93'). Shua fired just wide after a pass from Stangl (102'); the Israelis had the better of the play in extra time.

A sixth substitution is permitted in extra time; Kang Hee Lee came on for Daniel Nnodim. Dragović had a shot on goal following a free-kick from Taeseok Lee, but the ball went wide (110'). Taeseok Lee curled another free-kick towards the far corner, but the Israelis cleared it (115'). At the other end, Şahin-Radlinger saved a long-range shot from substitute Yosefi (117'), and the match went to a penalty shoot-out.

Fischer, Taeseok Lee and Ranftl scored for the Violets. Ansah hit the crossbar, followed by Marković hitting the post. Şahin-Radlinger saved Muzie’s penalty, whilst Sanel Šaljić slotted home the decisive spot-kick. Austria have reached the UEFA Conference League play-offs and will face SC Braga from Portugal next Thursday.

Austria Wien – Beitar 1–2 a.e.t. (0–1, 1–2, 1–2), 4–2 on penalties

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Nnodim (106’ Kang Hee Lee), Dragović, Feddersen, Schablas (78’ Taeseok Lee); Fischer, Maybach (59’ Wustinger), Marković, Wels (59’ Ranftl); Hettwer (59’ Šaljić), Boateng (72’ Deshishku)

Beitar: Silva; Antwi, Carabali, Gadrani (76’ Deri), Shedo (65’ Elimelech); Muche (65. Muzie), Enow, Worko (106' Shimol); Atzili (106' Ansah), Shua, Kalu (65' Yosefi)

Goals: Boateng (58'); Atzili (32'), Kalu (56')

Penalty shoot-out: 
1–0 Fischer
1–1 Carabali
2–1 Taeseok Lee
2–2 Yosefi
3–2 Ranftl
Ansah hit the crossbar
Marković hit the post
Muzie saved
4–2 Šaljić

Yellow cards: Schablas (70'), Ranftl (92'), Taeseok Lee (111'), Wustinger (113'); Enow (25'), Atzili (63'), Yosefi (99'), Antwi (114')

Franz-Horr-Stadion, referee Lukasz Kuzma (Poland), 7,663 spectators