The goals for the WSG came from an own goal by Michael Steinwender (37th), the strikers Thomas Sabitzer (52nd) and Giacomo Vrioni (71st) and the substitute Alexander Ranacher (83rd). Goals from Manfred Gollner (63rd) and Seth Paintsil (86th) were not enough for Hartberg. The Styrians had traveled to Innsbruck with seven points from the last three games, but remained colorless there for a long time. The Tyroleans continued to soar. There were 13 points from the last five rounds.
The 2,740 spectators at Innsbruck’s Tivoli meant – also thanks to many free tickets – a season record for the WSG. That should be surpassed on Monday in a week’s time when the Watteners play in the play-off semifinals at home against the second in the qualifying group for the chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League. Before that, the WSG could still tip the scales in the relegation battle on Friday, as it will play in the last round in Altach. Hartberg receives Ried in a direct duel.
Tirol in the European Cup play-off
In the penultimate round, WSG Tirol secured victory in the qualification group with a clear win against Hartberg and is thus firmly in the play-off for participation in the European Cup qualification.
WSG break lead after own goal
Captain Ferdinand Oswald was absent from the Watteners because of the symptoms of sunstroke. Benjamin Ozegovic replaced him in goal. At Hartberg, Gollner returned to central defense after being suspended. The Tyroleans had more of the game in the first half. A shot by Bror Blume was too central (18′), goalgetter Vrioni missed a header (27′). On the other side, Jürgen Heil forced WSG goalie Ozegovic to defend with a fist (30′).
The WSG could only celebrate after an own goal by Steinwender, who headed a slightly deflected cross from Kofi Schulz into his own net. Rene Swete tamed a Sabitzer header (45+1).
Five goals after the break
After a change of sides, the Hartberg goalkeeper was beaten again: After a good pass from Julian Ertlthaler, Vrioni unselfishly put on for Sabitzer, who scored his eighth goal of the season. Hartberg knocked on the crossbar from Okan Aydin after a dropped ball (62′), a minute later Gollner struck after a free-kick from Dario Tadic. The defender headed the ball into the goal from close range with the bottom edge of the bar (63′).
On the other side, Vrioni was number two in the league for the 16th time this season. The Juventus loan converted a Blume pass and then delivered a second assist: This time Ranacher, who scored his first Bundesliga goal, benefited. Substitute Paintsil whirled for Hartberg, but only converted one of his two big chances in the finish. Tadic also missed another good opportunity to score the goal (90′).
Comments on the game:
Thomas Silberberger (WSG trainer): “I’m incredibly proud. It’s extremely nice that we’ve achieved both goals in one go. We fixed both in one game – the play-off and home advantage. It was a mature performance over 80 minutes. And it’s great that you can still celebrate football festivals in Tyrol. Now we are looking forward to these play-off games.”
Klaus Schmidt (Hartberg coach): “It was an absolutely deserved defeat. It hurts us a lot because the other places didn’t play for us and we’re still fighting relegation. We weren’t ready for this final game. If you don’t get a yellow card, you can’t be ready for a game like this. I think we weren’t fully aware of the situation in the relegation battle. We offered the people of Watten too much.”
Admiral Bundesliga, qualifying group, 31st round
Saturday:
WSG Tirol – Hartberg 4:2 (1:0)
Innsbruck, Tivoli Stadium Tirol, 2,740 spectators, SR Lechner
Torfolge:
1:0 Steinwender (37./Eigentor)
2:0 Sabitzer (52.)
2:1 Gollner (63.)
3: 1 Vrioni (71)
4:1 Ranacher (83.)
4:2 Paintsil (86.)
WSG: Ozegovic – Koch, Bacher, Stumberger, Schulz – Rogelj (82./Ranacher), Blume (82./Skrbo), Müller (68./Ogrinec), Ertlthaler (70./Behounek) – Sabitzer (68./Prica), Vrioni
Hartberg: Swete – Farkas, Steinwender (58./Horvat), Gollner, Klem – T. Kainz, Diarra (46./Avdijaj), Aydin, Heil (84./Erhardt) – Niemann (58./Paintsil), Tadic (91. /Lemmerer)
Yellow cards: Sabitzer, Müller, Schulz or none
The best: Sabitzer, Ertlthaler, Vrioni and Aydin
WSG:
Hartberg:
