In the duel between two semi-finalists in the Uniqa-ÖFB-Cup, an interesting game developed in which the hosts took the lead early on. The strong Eliel Peretz sent striker Dario Vizinger through the hole pass, whose cross pass was so unluckily deflected by Gragger that the ball flew over goalkeeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger into the goal.
A brisk game developed with clear ball possession advantages for the WAC, but goal chances remained scarce. Ried had half-chances with a long-range shot from Leo Mikic and a header from Luca Meisl. The WAC was most dangerous through Vizinger, who was called offside twice. In the first half, the hosts were without a shot on goal.
WAC books a place in the championship group against Ried
WAC remained unbeaten in their ninth Bundesliga game against SV Guntamatic Ried on Saturday. The Wolfsbergers defeated the Innviertler 2:1 and after the 19th round they are already firmly in the championship group.
Ried fights back before the break
Ried, the weakest away team in the league, was rewarded for a good first half away from home before the break. After a nice one-two with Stefan Nutz, Bajic kept his cool in front of Alexander Kofler and scored the not undeserved 1-1.
Right at the beginning of the second half there was another gift from the Rieder back team for the WAC. Murat Satin set up a back pass far too easily and also missed Baribo. After Sahin-Radlinger was caught on the wrong foot and slipped away, Baribo had an easy game and pushed in with his ninth goal of the season to take the WAC lead again.
WAC now first Salzburg pursuer
SV Ried tried to take a point from Lavanttal, were the leading team in the last half hour and missed a number of half-chances. Substitute Marcel Canadi had a great chance to equalize after 70 minutes, but shot well over the goal from a promising position.
After a handball by Michael Novak in the penalty area, referee Gerhard Grobelnik viewed the video recordings, but did not decide on a penalty for Ried. While the WAC climbed to second place and is now Salzburg’s first pursuer, the Upper Austrians slipped back to seventh place, but are still fully involved in the fight for the championship group.
Comments on the game:
Robin Dutt (WAC coach): “We played very well in the first half, built up pressure and caused problems for our opponents. But we didn’t have the usual rhythm in the second half. We lost a lot more turnovers than usual today. We had to expend an unbelievable amount of energy to keep ourselves harmless.”
Regarding the penalty situation: “I can understand that Ried is pleading for a penalty here.”
Robert Ibertsberger (Ried coach): “It’s a very bitter defeat, especially when you look at the second half. We pushed the WAC into our own half and created good moments. It didn’t want to happen because we scored the two goals we conceded ourselves. We were denied a very clear penalty, I can’t understand how you can’t give it.”
Bundesliga, 19th round
Saturday:
WAC – Ried 2:1 (1:1)
Wolfsberg, Lavanttal Arena, 2,200 spectators, SR Grobelnik
goal sequence:
1:0 Gragger (10./Eigentor)
1:1 Bajic (39.)
2:1 Baribo (47.)
WAC: Kofler – Jasic, Dedic, Lochoshvili, Novak – Peretz (77./Wernitznig), Leitgeb, Liendl (91./Dieng), Taferner (77./Stratznig) – Vizinger, Baribo (77./Röcher)
Ried: Sahin-Radlinger – Gragger (81./Jovicic), Meisl, Plavotic – Wießmeier (81./Weberbauer), Stosic, Nutz, Satin, Pomer- Bajic (81./Nene), Mikic (66./Canadi)
Yellow cards: Dedic, Kofler or Pomer, Gragger, Nutz, Wießmeier
The best: Novak, Peretz, Vizinger or Nutz, Wießmeier
