Semi-Final
RZ Pellets WAC 1-2 FK Austria Vienna
Manfred Schmid led Wolfsberg past Austria Vienna at the end of the season to give his side the home advantage in the one-legged semi-final, but it was Christian Wegleitner and the Violets who came out on top after a thrilling finale.
WAC bade farewell to club legend Mario Leitgeb before kick-off, but the guests showed no sentimentality as Dominik Fitz’s corner kick was headed in by Matteo Meisl, with his first Bundesliga goal giving Austria the lead after just eight minutes. The home team responded well, and Maximilian Scharfetter should really have scored or at least provided an easy assist when he robbed the ball off the Austria defence inside the penalty area, but Christian Früchtl made a big save, and later denied Adis Jasic’s shot from range.
Wolfsberg were back on terms after 64 minutes thanks to a wonderful technical finish from Augustine Boakye; the substitute turned in the D and hooked a half-volley into the bottom corner to make it three goals in three games, all from the bench. With the closing stages set up nicely, Fisnik Asllani thought he’d won it for Austria only to be denied by a marginal offside, but deep into stoppage time WAC broke forward in numbers, and when the Violets hooked the ball clear, it soon reached Dominik Fitz: he spotted a slip outside the box from the retreating keeper Gütlbauer, and calmly rolled the ball just past the scrambling goalie and into the net for a late, late winner. It was harsh on Wolfsberg and also marked the end of Manfred Schmid’s tenure, but it sent Austria Vienna through to the final in style.
Final 1st Leg
FK Austria Vienna 2-1 TSV Egger Glas Hartberg
Championship Round side Hartberg had impressed in the Bundesliga season, but with a European place on the line, Austria Vienna of the Qualification Group stepped up to secure the first leg lead.
The first chance of a quiet opening phase went the home team’s way as Fisnik Asllani sent Andreas Gruber through into the area, only for Raphael Sallinger to make a solid save, but immediately after the break the tie came to life. Sallinger somehow denied Moritz Wels with a stunning stop from close range after a dangerous square ball just 17 seconds into the second half, but five minutes later James Holland would send an unstoppable volley curling off the laces and emphatically into the top corner at the near post to give Austria the advantage. It was goal number 500 of the Bundesliga’s 50th season, and what a way it was to mark the milestone, as the Australian got his first goal since January 2021; undoubtedly one for the highlights reel!
Dominik Fitz slotted home a penalty not long later to double the lead, continuing his fine form - he’s been involved in 9 of Austria’s 14 goals since the league split (6 goals, 3 assists) - and leaving Hartberg on the ropes. Austria international Maximilian Entrup had been brought on at the interval, and it was he who gave Hartberg hope, as he raced into the box and clipped home a volley after 84 minutes to reduce the deficit and keep the tie alive with his 13th goal of a memorable campaign.
Final 2nd Leg
TSV Egger Glas Hartberg 0-1 FK Austria Vienna (Agg. 1-3)
For just the second time in six seasons, the Qualification Group team toppled a top-six side to seal a spot in Europe, as Austria Vienna repeated their own feat of 2021, this time beating Hartberg over two legs.
The Styrian hosts had a miserable record against the Violets having lost eight of the last nine meetings in the Bundesliga, but with a huge prize on offer they pushed hard to overturn the first-leg deficit. Star striker Max Entrup rounded the keeper midway through the first half, only to lose his footing as he prepared to shoot, he still managed to steer the ball towards the empty net but it skimmed agonisingly off the post and across goal before being cleared. Hartberg had 65% of the possession and dominated the shot count, but again it was the revitalised James Holland who opened the scoring for Austria, this time firing a clean, low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area shortly before half time.
Entrup managed a game-high five shots on goal, former Austria man Dominik Prokop also fired against the post for Hartberg, but even with an ill-disciplined five-minute spell seeing Moritz Wels sent-off late on, Austria hung onto their two goal lead in the tie and took the place in UEFA Conference League Qualifying. Christian Wegleitner has now won each of his first four Bundesliga games in charge of Austria Vienna, the first coach to achieve that feat since Günter Kronsteiner in 2004, and just the fourth manager overall to do so. For the hero of the tie, James Holland, it may yet prove to be a fitting send-off to his time with Austria Vienna - where he landed the Bundesliga title in 2013 - or indeed a fine end to his playing career if he does hang up his boots.
Redakteur: The Other Bundesliga
Fotos: GEPA pictures