"Important victory"

Youth League: Rapids’ young stars continue to impress

Erik Stehrer secured the 2:1 win in Basel.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Impressive, strong and refreshing! Rapid rocked the Youth League premiere and followed up their promotion against Braga yesterday: The green and white U19s won the first leg of the third round at FC Basel 2:1. 

"This victory is very important, a good prerequisite for further promotion," said a delighted coach Jürgen Kerber in front of over 2210 fans at the St. Jakob athletics stadium.

Nunoo put Rapids, with talents from the two-man team and U18s, ahead in the 21st minute. Basel equalized 1:1 before the break through Passavant (40'). The Swiss top team later weakened themselves when Xhemalija was shown red for a hard tackle in the 78th minute - just two minutes later, Stehrer headed home to secure a 2-1 away win for the Viennese side.

"A top match. We were able to compete superbly, put up a great fight and impose our game on Basel," said Kerber on the bus before the long journey home. "We came here to take home a draw or a win - so we're happy about that and we're going back."

The return match will take place on December 11 (5 p.m.) at the Allianz Stadium; if the team advances, there would be a single, decisive home match in the 1/16 finals.