Disappointing semi-final exit

[ASFN Admin]

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Disappointing semi-final exit

0-1 loss at home to Altach​

A weak attacking performance from our lads saw them eliminated in the the UNIQA ÖFB Cup semi-final. SCR Altach took a 1-0 lead from a corner just before half-time, and there would be no way back despite our efforts.

Match summary​

We started with three changes to the starting line-up compared to the weekend, but faced similarly deep-lying opponents. In the early stages, we seemed to have a good grip on the game, culminating in a Yeo header that hit the post (10'). After that, however, few, if any, clear-cut chances followed.

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After about half an hour, the momentum suddenly shifted more and more in favor of the visitors. In the 29th minute, Joane Gadou made a crucial sliding tackle to clear the danger, and shortly afterwards, a fatal misplaced pass during the build-up play led to a long-range shot from Ouedraogo that struck Schlager's goalframe. Diawara, unmarked from five metres out, fortunately only hit the woodwork, but moments later the Altach players were finally celebrating.

A corner kick in stoppage time finally broke the deadlock. Altach captain Jäger sent the numerous travelling fans into raptures with a powerful header (45+2').

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The second half offered considerably less of an attacking spectacle overall. The visitors focused on defending, and we struggled to find solutions. Frans Krätzig – one of our most active players of the evening – launched our first good attack of the second half in the 60th minute, but Yeo unfortunately didn't connect cleanly with the ball in the six-yard box.

We lacked decisiveness going forward, and the time kept on slipping away from us, while the qualities we displayed in recent matches were sadly too rarely on display. Our late surge came too late, and even then, we were unable to threaten Altach goalkeeper Stojanovic. Karim Onisiwo had another go in the final seconds, but the visiting goalkeeper made a comfortable save, sealing the end of our cup run.

Views​

The lads picked up right where we left off in recent matches, in terms of energy and intensity, for the first 25 minutes. However, for the first time since I took over, we lost our focus from the 30th minute onwards, and in that period before half-time, we hit the post twice and conceded a goal. The disappointment is immense, but we'll start again tomorrow – even if it's easier to do the job after a 5-1 win.

Daniel Beichler

We actually started well, but then we got sloppy, and didn't win the second balls – at the end of the day, we've been embarrassed and deservedly so. Anything can happen in football, and then it's about staying cool and keeping going – and we didn't manage that today. It hurts to say it like this, but they deserved to go through.

Alexander Schlager

Match summary​

Line-ups & substitutions

FC Red Bull Salzburg: Schlager – Terzic (73. Bischoff), Gadou, Schuster, Krätzig – Diabate (73. Onisiwo) – Bidstrup ©, Alajbegovic – Yeo (62. Lukic) – Redzic, Konate (62. Baidoo)SCR Altach: Stojanovic – Milojevic, Zech, Jäger © – Ingolitsch, Demaku, Bähre, Ouedraogo – Litawumba (85. Gorgon), Diawara (66. Hrstic), Greil (73. Yalcin)

Goal: Jäger (45.+2)Referee: Walter AltmannYellow cards: Bidstrup (65./Foul), Schlager (90.+2/Unsporting behaviour) - Ouedraogo (63./Foul), Yalcin (90.+2/Foul), Demaku (90.+2/Unsporting behaviour)

Injury news​

• The following players were unavailable for this match: Tim Drexler (back), Takumu Kawamura (knee), Sota Kitano (thigh), Stefan Lainer (thigh), John Mellberg (thigh) and Justin Omoregie (shoulder). Yorbe Vertessen has been back in training since Monday, but is not yet ready to play today.

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