Matchday Three Brings Three More Points

A header in either half from Dion Beljo and Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao sees Rapid past WSG Tirol to earn another three points.

After the magic of European football was on display in Hütteldorf on Thursday evening, it was back to ADMIRAL Bundesliga duties on Sunday, as WSG Tirol made the trip to the capital for the third round of the new campaign. Under Head Coach Robert Klauß, the team had won their first five competitive matches of the season before that run was ended with a draw last weekend, so the goal was clear, to get back to winning ways on home turf!

Right from the off, the Green & Whites looked fully focused on their target. Firstly, Isak Jansson tested the WSG stopper with a powerful low shot (8’) before Guido Burgstaller flashed a fierce shot just past the post (9’). The next chance also came the way of our number 9, but he was denied by the keeper at the crucial moment (15’); the game was clearly in our hands, but we couldn’t yet find the opener. From a corner, Dion Beljo headed over the bar (19’) and Swedish winger Jansson forced another save from the visiting goalkeeper (27’). WSG were unable to really get a foothold in attack, and each time they tried to push forward on the flanks, the Rapid defence remained resolute. Our first-half reward came in the moments before the break; after a cross from Benny Böckle, Beljo timed his jump well, rose highest in the area and headed the ball into the back of the net for 1-0 (42’)! A big goal at a big moment

We started the second half with one change, as Moritz Oswald came on for Lukas Grgić (46').

The Rapid players returned to the field with intensity, and Dion Beljo almost scored the second goal with his first touch of the half, but the WSG goalkeeper made a strong save (46'). The game then remained evenly poised for a while before Guido Burgstaller again headed wide of the target (57'). His working day, and Matthias Seidl's, were over, as Christoph Lang and Louis Schaub reported for duty (64'). Just a few moments later, the goal celebrations for the fans in Green & White would start once more! Lang delivered the corner ball, and Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao got up high to head home his first goal of the season; 2-0 (67')! A two-goal cushion which was well-deserved on the balance of the play.

Jonas Auer and Furkan Dursun came on for the final phase in place of Benny Böckle and Isak Jansson (77'), and we then had a touch of fortune when WSG Tirol scored, but had their effort ruled out for offside, meaning that our cushion remained the same into the closing stages (80’).

WSG pressed to get one back, but Rapid put in a strong collective performance to secure the home win, and the clean sheet, in the end.

Three more points, and another good early-season showing. Let’s keep it going like this!

 Fotos: SK Rapid | Widner