David Gugganig (26th), Kelvin Yeboah (30th), Tobias Anselm (77th) and Renny Smith in stoppage time (90th + 4) ensured clear conditions in favor of the hosts at the Innsbruck Tivoli. Dejan Joveljic (66th) had meanwhile scored the next goal for Wolfsberger. The WAC had to complete the final phase with one man less to scatter after Luka Lochoshvili saw the red card in the 81st minute.
While WSG Tirol established themselves in sixth place with the fourth win of the season, tied with spusu SKN St. Pölten, the Wolfsbergers are now four points behind the top six. In the third Bundesliga duel with the Tyroleans, the WAC lost the field for the second time in a draw.
Tyrolean double blow
The guests from Wolfsberg, who were unable to land in Innsbruck on the charter flight due to the wind conditions and finally arrived via Munich by bus, did not really find their way into the game from kick-off. Goalie Alexander Kofler had to parry for the first time in the 16th minute against Zlatko Dedic, shortly afterwards Yeboah knocked on the outside net (17th). The WAC, which had changed six positions compared to the 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow, was hardly noticeable on the offensive, and the home side’s lead was almost logical.
After a free kick from the side, Gugganig rose higher than Dominik Baumgartner and headed in. And only a few minutes later it got even worse for the Carinthians, who continued to present themselves carelessly: Michael Novak cleared poorly after a cross from Dedic, Yeboah headed in from a few meters to make it 2-0. But there was no question of a real wake-up call, the WAC put more pressure on, but hardly managed to bring about successful actions. Four completely unsuccessful shots on goal were the only thing that could be counted before the break.
WAC can only hope for a short time
WAC coach Ferdinand Feldhofer reacted with four changes at halftime, including director Michael Liendl. The guests subsequently determined what happened, but still found it difficult to create opportunities. A harmless Novak Köpfler (63.) then initiated an urge phase of the guests, shortly afterwards Joveljic found the huge chance on the fiver, but goalkeeper Ferdinand Oswald was there with a “handball parade”.
A little later, the Serb was successful after all, his shot at the far corner went via the inside bar to the connection goal. The WAC kept the pressure up, only the pole saved the Tyroleans from equalizing with a header from Luka Lochoshvili (72nd). The Tyroleans sought an exit from their passivity and gained something. First Dedic missed the goal with a sharp cross from short distance (75th), but then Anselm’s hour struck: The “Joker” pushed the ball over the line after a corner in front of Nemanja Rnic in a five.
In the end, Dario Vizinger’s renewed goal was denied for offside, Lochoshvili even saw red after an emergency brake against Yeboah (81st). Smith was finally able to celebrate his first Bundesliga goal in stoppage time like Gugganig before and turned the Wolfsberger defeat, which had already been clear, into a rebuff.
Tipico Bundesliga, tenth round
Sunday:
WSG Tirol – WAC 3:1 (2:0)
Tivoli Stadium, SR Drachta
Goal sequence:
1: 0 Gugganig (26.)
2:0 Yeboah (30.)
2: 1 Joveljic (66th)
3:1 Anselm (77.)
4:1 Smith (90.+4)
WSG: Oswald – Koch, Behounek, Gugganig, Schnegg – Rogelj (85th Pranter), Petsos (74th Naschberger), Celic, Rieder (65th Smith) – Dedic (74th Anselm), Yeboah (85th Baden Frederiksen)
WAC: Kofler – Baumgartner, Rnic, Peric (46th Lochoshvili) – Novak, Wernitznig, Stratznig (46th Vizinger), Liendl (46th Leitgeb), Giorbelidze (65th Scherzer) – Peretz (46th Taferner), Joveljic
Red card: Lochoshvili (81st / emergency brake)
Yellow cards: none
The best: Yeboah, Schnegg, Gugganig or Kofler, Leitgeb, Wernitznig
