CASHPOINT SCR Altach – FK Austria Wien 2:1 (2:0)
Austria were unable to keep the pressure on at the top of the Qualification Group as they slipped to defeat against Altach. Haudum opened the scoring for the Vorarlberg side with his third career Bundesliga goal, before Fischer doubled the lead late in the first half. Fischer is Altach’s top scorer this term with five goals, four of which have come in 2021. Sarkaria scored a fifth goal of the season for Austria, but the strike came deep in injury time, and although he’s now scored three against Altach this season it wasn’t enough for the Violets to rescue a point. Altach are now six points away from the relegation place, whilst Austria are just two ahead of Ried as they target a berth in the European qualifying play-off round.
FC Flyeralarm Admira 2-0 spusu SKN St. Pölten
The Lower Austria derby looked like being a crucial game in the relegation battle, and the spoils went to the home team at the BSFZ Arena. A low-key first half was punctuated by a costly mix up in the visitors’ defence which allowed Atanga to tap-in his second goal of the season and put Admira ahead at the break. Despite having 62% of the possession, St. Pölten struggled to create chances, and Admira were able to bide their time before Kerschbaum killed the game off with a late breakaway goal. He’s now scored six times this season, after scoring just four in his first four Bundesliga seasons combined. Admira are now five points above basement side St. Pölten with only three rounds left to play.
TSV Prolactal Hartberg 1-1 SV Guntamatic Ried
Hartberg had a whopping 75% possession in their game against Ried, yet they trailed after Bajic steered home Nutz’s corner in the second half to get the guests on the board. With 24 crosses and 12 shots, Hartberg eventually levelled things up when Rakowitz bundled the ball over the line after it had somehow hit the crossbar twice! That was Rakowitz’s tenth Bundesliga goal, but only his second in a home game. The draw leaves Hartberg three points clear atop the Qualification Group, Ried remain third but edge closer to the play-off positions above.
LASK 3-3 WSG Swarovski Tirol
A dramatic game in Pasching ended all-square after six goals, two penalties and a red card. A bizarre Filipovic own goal put WSG ahead, before Eggestein’s ninth strike of the season got LASK level, and a stunning goal from Goiginger turned the tie after the break. Grgic got the assists for both, and Goiginger’s longshot was his first goal this season from outside the area. The action was far from over, as a Baden Frederiksen penalty tied it up at 2-2, before Trauner headed LASK back into the lead with eleven minutes to play. That was his 12th Bundesliga goal, all of which have come from set-pieces! He was then sent off though, and his foul allowed Baden Frederiksen to equalise once again from the spot with his fifth goal of the season against LASK; the most of any player against any one opponent in this campaign.
SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz 1-3 FC Red Bull Salzburg
A first Bundesliga brace from Aaronson led Salzburg to the cusp of another league title as they once again scored late on in their win over Sturm. After Berisha set up the American with his seventh assist of the season, Kiteishvili’s 16th Bundesliga goal (all from inside the box) drew the Grazers level in the second half. Aaronson’s second strike of the game with 12 minutes left put Salzburg’s noses back in front, before Junuzovic got his first of the season five minutes later to seal the win. That was his first goal since his remarkable volley versus Rapid in June 2020. Salzburg can now secure the title with a point in their next game, which is against Rapid on Wednesday.
SK Rapid Vienna 1-2 RZ Pellets WAC
WAC gave their hopes of playing European football next neason a massive boost as they beat Rapid on the road in Vienna. Ritzmaier’s stunning free kick ignited a stagnant game as he put Rapid ahead in the second half, but Liendl scored a sixth penalty of the season (the most spot kicks scored by a Bundesliga player this season) to make it 1-1 with just over twenty minutes to play. Barac was sent off, reducing the hosts to ten men, and Wolfsberg took full advantage when Dieng knocked in his third goal of the season, and his second against Rapid, in injury time. WAC stay fifth, but they’re now four points ahead of WSG Tirol and just one behind LASK and Sturm.