GAK 1:1 against Lafnitz

“We must now leave the church in the village”

The Styrian derby between GAK and Lafnitz provided plenty of action.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Point earned, lead extended. Even though GAK were not happy with their 1-1 draw in the second division derby against Lafnitz, the leaders' lead grew to twelve points. Danel Maderner scored the late equalizer with a penalty after Jakob Knollmüller had put the visitors ahead.

The 3650 fans in the Merkur Arena were probably not satisfied! After the 4-1 defeat in Lafnitz in the fall, everyone had expected GAK to get revenge. But the leaders had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the end. It was certainly a consolation that the point win at least increased the lead over their closest rivals Leoben (0:1 at Vienna) to a whopping twelve points.

Shock after six minutes
Andre Leipold could have given Lafnitz the lead after just six minutes - but Jakob Meierhofer saved the weakly taken penalty. A lively game ensued, but big chances were also in short supply. After the break, GAK seemed to shift up a gear. First, substitute Christian Lichtenberger hit the crossbar (55'), half a minute later Felix Holzhacker, who had also come into the game, hit the aluminum again.

Satin (from left) and Prohart hit everything.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Goals that you don't score, you get. This wisdom became reality again on Friday evening. Suddenly Jakob Knollmüller turned away jubilantly and put Lafnitz in front. "That made me really happy, because I scored right in front of my mom and dad," beamed the 20-year-old. "The draw was fair in the end, though, because we also had a bit of luck."

A draw because Daniel Maderner showed no nerves in the 86th minute and netted a penalty to make the final score 1:1. "In terms of feeling, I would say we lost two points. We missed too many chances," said the goalscorer (eleven goals) with some annoyance. "A 12-point lead is certainly nice, but 14 would have been even nicer. Nevertheless, we have to leave the church in the village now."

"We have to take it that way"
Goalkeeper Meierhofer received special applause after the game. "It's nice when the fans get behind you like that and celebrate you. But I still can't really be happy after not winning a game," said the 26-year-old, somewhat saddened. "With the way the game went, we have to take the 1:1."