2:1 against GAK

LIVE: Austria Vienna against GAK

Great jubilation at Wiener Austria and match-winner Marko Raguz for three points.(Bild: GEPA)

Vienna's Austria were lucky to get back to winning ways before the international break. After defeats against Salzburg (0:3) and Hartberg (1:2), the favorites celebrated a 2:1 win against bottom club GAK on Saturday to kick off the 13th league round thanks to a late goal from "Joker" Marko Raguz (91st). At least for one day, the team managed to jump from seventh to sixth place. The Styrians are still one point behind penultimate-placed Blau-Weiß Linz.

It was hardly surprising that no team scored a goal in the Generali-Arena, which was packed with 12,465 spectators, as the teams with the most goals conceded in the league so far met. Tin Plavotic (24') gave the hosts the lead with a header, "joker" Daniel Maderner (52') equalized soon after the restart in a match with very few chances. Raguz prevented a fair draw in the first game of the season in Graz (2:2).

Harakate caused problems for Vienna
Vienna found it difficult to get into a hard-fought game and were also lucky that defender Aleksandar Dragovic got away with a yellow card for a rude tackle on Ramiz Harakate, who broke through on the side (7'). Harakate's speed caused problems for the Viennese side on a number of occasions. In the 19th minute, the GAK striker failed to beat goalkeeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger with the first top chance, while Thomas Schiestl's follow-up shot was just blocked.

There was no sign of the hosts taking the lead, but they did so nonetheless. Plavotic headed home from a Manprit Sarkaria corner. The lead was good for coach Stephan Helm's team after two quick 2-0 defeats and they were much closer to scoring a second goal. A Barry shot went just wide (32') and Lee Kang-hee also failed to beat Jakob Meierhofer (34') after an ideal pass from Lee Tae-seok.

Substitutes take center stage
GAK coach Ferdinand Feldhofer had a "golden touch" at the break. Substitute Maderner was sent on his way by Harakate during a counter-attack with a lofted pass, outpaced Sahin-Radlinger and finished coolly. It was the only chance highlight until stoppage time, otherwise the action was dominated by duels for every inch and high balls.

Daniel Maderner celebrated the interim 1:1.(Bild: GEPA)

The logical draw failed to materialize as Raguz made a remarkable save in the penalty area, reminiscent of his best days, and was also lucky that the ball deflected by Pines found its way into the goal via the bottom edge of the crossbar.

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

This left Graz empty-handed once again after their recent first win of the season - 3:1 against Altach. They are still winless against teams from Vienna after match number seven since their return to the top flight.

The final score:

FK Austria Vienna - GAK 2:1 (1:0)
Vienna, Generali-Arena, 12,465 spectators, referee Lechner.

Goals: 1:0 (24.) Plavotic, 1:1 (52.) Maderner, 2:1 (91.) Raguz

Austria: Sahin-Radlinger - Wiesinger, Dragovic, Plavotic (64. Radonjic) - Ranftl, Barry, Lee T., Lee K. (73. Boateng) - Sarkaria (83. Raguz), Eggestein, Fischer

GAK: Meierhofer - Owusu, Pines, Kreuzriegler - Schriebl (88. Vraa), Koch, Fofana (96. Graf), Jano (63. Cipot), Schiestl (96. Lichtenberger) - Satin (46. Maderner), Harakate

Yellow cards: Dragovic, Wiesinger, Radonjic or Wawra (sports director), Jano, Maderner, Schriebl, Pines