One point to start the group stage!

Austria drew 0-0 with Hapoel Be'er Scheva in their first group match of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The superior Violets created numerous chances, but unfortunately the ball did not go into the net today.

Manfred Schmid sent his team into the European Cup season with a back four. James Holland started on the six behind Manfred Fischer and Matthias Braunöder. Andreas Gruber, Dominik Fitz and Aleksandar Jukić formed the attack. Ziad El Sheiwi was back in the professional squad for the first time since his serious knee injury, and Muharem Husković was also back.

The opponents from Israel started in a 4-4-2 system after two recent defeats in the league. Coach Elyaniv Barda made four changes to the starting eleven.

No goals before half-time

Austria started the game well, with Andreas Gruber testing Be'er Sheva goalkeeper Omri Glazer for the first time in the second minute. Another shot from the winger fizzed just wide of the goal (17th). Only a minute later, Dominik Fitz slammed the ball against the crossbar from 20 metres. On the other side, Portuguese Miguel Vítor also hit the aluminium after a corner kick, Lucas Galvão threw himself into Iyad Abu Abaid's follow-up shot (21). A direct shot by Fitz was saved by Glazer, a shot by Rotem Hatuel went past the second bar - the game swung back and forth (29th, 32nd).

Towards the end of the first half, the Violets were able to establish themselves in the Israeli half, a good shot by Jukić after an assist by Gruber was deflected for a corner (44.). Nevertheless, a varied game went into the break goalless.

Even after the change of ends, the ball did not want to go into the goal.

After the break, the Israelis remained true to their aggressive, often over-hard style of play, while Austria held their own. Andreas Gruber had the first chance again, his header was saved by Glazer (52.). Shots by Dominik Fitz and Manfred Fischer went over the goal (54., 55.). Glazer had to stretch himself with a shot by James Holland (67th) - the Violets pressed for the goal.

In the 70th minute Manfred Schmid brought in Muharem Husković and Can Keles. Husković's first shot was saved, and in a counterattack he fought off three opponents, but was ultimately prevented from finishing by Or Dadya (75th, 76th). Ten minutes before the end, a very strong Dominik Fitz was replaced by Georg Teigl.

Reinhold Ranftl had the last chance of the game in injury time, Austria and Hapoel Be'er Scheva drew 0-0. Already next Thursday the away match in Poznan awaits.

FK Austria Wien - Hapoel Be'er Scheva 0:0

Austria: Früchtl; Ranftl, Mühl, Galvão, Martins; Braunöder, Holland, Fischer; Gruber (70. Keles), Fitz (80. Teigl), Jukić (70. Husković)

Be'er Scheva: Glazer; Dadia, Tibi, Vitor, Abu Abaid; Bareiro, Hatuel (86. Yehezkel), Micha (86. Lopes), Elias (58. Shamir); Suleymanov (58. Safuri), Hemed (76. Ansah)

Goals: none

Yellow cards: Martins (39.), Gruber (68.), Holland (82.); Micha (25.), Elias (51.)

Viola Park, referee Horatiu Fesnic (Romania), 9,400 spectators

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)