Strong in league two

Young bulls can’t stop celebrating

Gaoussou Diakite (right) provided an assist and scored once himself.

(Bild: GEPA pictures/Edgar Eisner)

What's going on with Liefering? Experienced and self-confident, they cruised to an unchallenged 2:1 victory at Stripfing. If the winning streak continues, the young bulls could even move towards the top three. The gas station ritual does not happen with the talents.

Liefering continue to play like a new team in the second division this spring. Even table neighbors Stripfing were no obstacle for the young bulls away from home. After a cross from Gaoussou Diakite, Raphael Hofer, who was back in the starting eleven after a suspension, scored directly to take the lead. In the second half, the assist provider went one better, rewarding his first starting appearance with a goal worth seeing. After his debut goal on Easter Sunday, the Malian shot beautifully into the corner of the net from 16 meters to secure his fifth win of the spring. The home side's final goal through Darijo Pecirep (94') came too late.

"Of course it was a very combative game. But the team really did a great job. You're happy to help with a goal," said a delighted Raphael Hofer, who was "probably the most upset" due to his suspension.

Hofer was lucky on the journey home, because the young bulls don't have the gas station ritual on away trips, where one player has to invite the whole team after a win. "We're going home comfortably, some of us will end the evening comfortably. We still have training tomorrow, then we'll enjoy the weekend," said Hofer.

Coach Cinel was satisfied: "We're delighted with the well-deserved win! In the first half, it was a more open game with the better scoring chances for us. Nevertheless, we weren't satisfied with the level of activity - we clearly addressed that during the break. The implementation in the second half was great! We were very happy with the number of ball recoveries, shots on goal and chances, and ultimately the lads hardly conceded anything." Despite a miserable fall, the young bulls can now look to the top. They are only seven points off third-placed Leoben.

The Styrians, who face GAK in the Styrian derby on Saturday, have presented Carsten Jancker, the predecessor of retired coach Rene Poms, as their successor.