Kara edged past Rapid to claim the lead position.
Rapid Secures 1-0 Victory Against Hartberg in Unconventional Venue
Peter Stöger's Rapid Wien claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Hartberg in an alternate venue, thanks to a late header from Ercan Kara.
The game began with a twist in Rapid's lineup, as for the first time in 126 years of club history, no Austrian field player started in front of goalkeeper Hedl. Instead, newcomers Ndzie and Tilio made their league debuts for the Viennese side.
The slippery grass caused both teams to slip repeatedly, but it was Rapid who created the first significant chance when Mbuyis received a pass from Tilio and shot just wide after 29 minutes. However, the same player missed two golden opportunities from close range, failing to convert from two and four meters in the 59th and 60th minutes.
Hartberg, on the other hand, defended deep and compact, relying on quick counter-attacks from Drew and Havel. Vincze defended diligently for Hartberg, as he usually does on loan.
Referee Pfister's interpretation of the rules surprised many, causing some controversy throughout the match. Hartberg almost capitalised on this, with Hoffmann missing an undeserved but possible 1-1 opportunity in the 93rd minute.
Stöger made good use of his substitutes, introducing Radulovic and Horn to increase the pressure on Hartberg. The tactical change paid off when Kara headed a Radulovic corner perfectly into the far corner with eight minutes remaining.
Despite Mbuyi's late chance to equalise from six meters alone, Rapid held on to secure a valuable win. The victory has sparked reports that Rapid is interested in buying playmaker Gulliksen, a 22-year-old Norwegian who signed a contract until 2029 with the club for around 3.8 million euros from Djurgardens IF.
Following the game, Stöger expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, praising their resilience and determination in securing the victory. Rapid will look to build on this win as they continue their quest for success in the Austrian Bundesliga.
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