Dramatic cup win | OneFootball

Schlager saves decisive spot-kick in shootout

Our boys battled TSV Egger Glas Hartberg in a real end-to-end cup thriller that led to a penalty shoot-out. Our Red Bulls dominated large periods of the 120 minutes, but it took a super stop from Alex Schlager in the shoot-out to see us sneak into the quarter-finals of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup.

Match summary

The lights were on and the autumn evening was clear at the Profertil Arena as our Red Bulls and TSV Hartberg locked horns. Oscar Gloukh and Mau Kjaergaard were the first to have opportunities. It was clear to see that the sides respected one another – with no risky passes as neither side wanted to put their place in the cup at stake, but our boys clearly had the upper hand.

Under the guidance of our captain, Andi Ulmer, we built pressure going forward – with our front two of Karim Konate and Petar Ratkov continually stretching the Hartberg defence. The hosts tested Alex Schlager at the other end with a Christoph Lang shot, with our goalie proving to be as dependable as ever (16'). Ratkov wanted to make his mark on the tie and headed a Dedic cross just over.

The ball didn't move around with too much urgency throughout the first 45, however. Few chances came at either end - as the hosts rarely threatened and the final pass often went missing in our play. The first 45 minutes therefore ended without much to write home about.

After the break we immediately showed more purpose, especially in our link-up play – with it Ratkov heading the next opportunity (51'). We were really pushing Hartberg back and forcing them to chase after us. After a Gloukh free-kick, again Ratkov popped up in the danger area. The Serbian went agonisingly close, just firing the wrong side of the post (55').

Luka Sucic went late into a challenge and saw our first yellow card (57'). The hosts got more into the game and suddenly pounced on the break with substitute Maximilian Entrup putting his side 1-0 up – with Alex Schlager at full stretch but unable to stop it (67').

The equaliser then came - Sucic chipped the ball up to Ulmer, who chested it and Ratkov only had to turn it in over the line (77'). Our Red Bulls were in for the kill, with Sucic taking aim on the Hartberg target. We threw everything into it and put Hartberg under huge pressure.

The final phase had plenty to offer. Andi Ulmer hit the ball into an opponent, and it landed at the feet of Entrup – but Schlager was there and able to save (85'). Shortly before the break, Capaldo and Hartberg goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger collided in the area – but the referee didn't award a penalty (90+4'), and extra time beckoned.

We were back on the field and determined to seal the win. Ratkov sent a fierce drive wide, albeit from an offside position (93'). We maintained the upper hand, as Sucic had the next effort (98'). We then breathed a sigh of relief as Hartberg's Donis Avdijaj wasted a chance to give his side the lead again (100'). On a quick break Ratkov then went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and was denied in a great position (105'). Sucic smashed a free-kick over (114') as we dominated until the very end. A penalty shoot-out would be required.

The first four penalty takers of both sides converted. Oumar Solet then made it five for our Red Bulls. Then came the decisive moment. Donis Avdijaj hit his penalty to the bottom right, but Schlager dived that way to save and be our matchwinner. Off into the quarters we go!

Further dates in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup

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Gerhard Struber

Alex Schlager

Line-up

Substitutions

Simic for Konate (71'), Capaldo for Gloukh (71'), Nene for Kjaergaard (89'), Guindo for Ulmer (95')

Yellow cards

Sucic (57' foul), Kjaergaard (68' dissent), Dedic (90+2' dissent), Capaldo (90+2' dissent)

Injury news

Not available were Fernando (adductors), Dijon Kameri (buttocks), Bryan Okoh (thigh), Justin Omoregie (thigh), Kamil Piatkowski (calf), Aleksa Terzic (adductors) and Lukas Wallner (thigh). Samson Baidoo and Amankwah Forson were missing due to illness.