Knocked out in Cup semi-final against Hartberg

Austria were beaten 0-1 by TSV Hartberg in the semi-final of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup in front of a sell-out crowd. Donis Avdijaj scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute.

As always, Mirko Kos started in goal in the Cup. Head coach Stephan Helm made two changes in central defence: Philipp Wiesinger and Lucas Galvão started in place of Johannes Handl and Tin Plavotić. Abubakr Barry started in midfield, with Andreas Gruber taking his place on the bench this time.

Hartberg coach Manfred Schmid made three changes to his starting XI. Youba Diarra, Mateo Karamatic and Dominik Prokop remained on the bench - Benjamin Markuš, Fabian Wilfinger and Jed Drew were new to the line-up.

Goalless first half

The game began as expected, with Austria in command. Nik Prelec had the first chance after a pass from Dominik Fitz. Raphael Sallinger was able to deflect the ball into the short corner (12'). After a corner, Abubakr Barry took a shot, but Sallinger fished the ball out of the corner (13'). Aleksandar Dragović put a header next to the goal, Prelec ran alone towards the Hartberg goalie, but ultimately failed (13', 18').

Dominik Fitz also had the chance to take the lead after an unsuccessful back pass from Hartberg, but also failed to beat Sallinger (32'). The visitors from Styria had their first opportunity in the 34th minute, Drew narrowly missing a sharp cross from the side.

After one minute of stoppage time, the first half ended goalless.

Avdijaj scored into the violet heart

There were no changes at the break. Austria kept the pressure on, but Hartberg took the lead after a counter-attack. Donis Avdijaj scored after a one-two with Patrik Mijić to make it 0-1 (54').

After conceding the goal, the Violets struggled in attack against a deep Hartberg side and Stephan Helm made two changes after 68 minutes. Marko Raguž and Johannes Handl came on for Manfred Fischer and Lucas Galvão. Maurice Malone put a ball past the goal with his heel after a corner from Fitz, and a free-kick from Fitz also missed the target (78‘, 83’). Fitz took another free-kick in stoppage time, but the ball went just wide.

Austria were beaten 0-1 by TSV Hartberg.

Austria Wien - TSV Hartberg 0-1 (0-0)

Austria: Kos; Wiesinger (90+1' Plavotić), Dragović, Galvão (68' Handl); Ranftl, Fischer (68' Raguž), Pérez Vinlöf; Barry, Fitz; Prelec, Malone

Hartberg: Sallinger; Heil, Komposch, Markuš, Pfeifer; Wilfinger, Kainz (74' Diarra); Avdijaj (90+4' Karamatic), Demir, Drew (64' Husković); Mijić (90+4' Havel)

Goal: Avdijaj (54')

Yellow cards: Malone (75'), Barry (79'), Ranftl (88'), Fitz (90+5'); Kainz (16'), Demir (47'), Diarra (90')

Red card: Dragović (after the end of the match)

Generali-Arena, referee Sebastian Gishamer, 14,237 spectators