SCR Altach advanced to the quarterfinals of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup with a decisive 4-0 victory over Grazer AK at the Merkur-Arena in Graz. Yann Massombo led the attack with two goals, while Rodney Elongo-Yombo and Srdjan Hrstic also scored to secure the shutout win under the floodlights.
Massombo Sets the Tone Before Halftime
The match began with a tight, intense opening period before Altach seized control after fifteen minutes of play. Following a free kick by Patrick Greil, Rodney Elongo-Yombo maneuvered the ball into the center of the penalty area, where Filip Milojevic managed a shot that was blocked under heavy defensive pressure. Just three minutes later, the deadlock broke when Srdjan Hrstic delivered a precise through-ball to Yann Massombo. The forward kept his composure against GAK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic and slotted home the opening goal in the 18th minute.
Grazer AK struggled to find an offensive rhythm throughout the first half, failing to record a single notable shot on target. Meanwhile, the visiting side capitalized on quick counter-attacks. Massombo in the 35th minute and Hrstic in the 40th both missed the target, and Mike-Steven Bähre sent a rebound just wide of the left post shortly before the interval in the 44th minute, leaving Altach with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 lead at halftime.
Second-Half Surge Secures the Quarterfinal Berth
Grazer AK opened the second half with increased urgency as Peter Michorl tested the Altach defense immediately after the restart in the 46th minute, followed by another blocked shot in the 50th minute. However, Altach struck again right during this brief period of GAK pressure. Greil broke free down the right flank and drove into the box; although Stankovic stopped Bähre’s initial effort from the resulting cross, Massombo reacted quickest to poke home the rebound for his second goal of the night in the 51st minute.
The result was effectively put beyond doubt minutes later. Benjamin Böckle delivered a cross from the left wing into the penalty area, and Elongo-Yombo let the ball skim past him before striking a clinical, powerful shot into the top-left corner in the 58th minute. GAK head coach Gerald Scheiblehner attempted to shift the momentum by making a quadruple substitution, but the tactical adjustments did little to alter Altach’s dominance. Stankovic denied Elongo-Yombo a further goal with a sharp foot save in the 66th minute, but the respite was brief.
Hrstic Converts from the Spot to Close Out the Match
Altach was awarded a penalty kick in the 68th minute after substitute Yanis Eisschill shielded the ball from Michael Sollbauer, who caught the Altacher on the foot. Srdjan Hrstic stepped up to take the penalty and buried the shot into the net for a 4-0 lead in the 69th minute. Though Stankovic correctly guessed the direction of the ball, the placement proved unstoppable. Altach comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure their progression in the cup competition.
While Altach turns its attention to an upcoming ADMIRAL Bundesliga fixture against the SV Ried on Saturday, Grazer AK must prepare to host TSV Hartberg on Friday at the conclusion of a demanding week of fixtures.
