Both in qualifying group

Wolfsberger AC against Altach LIVE from 5pm

WAC against Altach was a hard-fought game

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Wolfsberger AC and Altach drew 1-1 on matchday 22 of the domestic Bundesliga on Sunday. The goals came early in the game. Afterwards, no decision was made. Both teams are now on the attack in the qualifying group. 

The basic round of the Bundesliga ended with a double draw for WAC and SCR Altach. The two teams drew 1:1 (1:1) at Wolfsberg's Lavanttal-Arena on Sunday. The Carinthians, who have collected a total of 30 points in 22 rounds, now move up to second place in the qualifying group with 15 points. Vorarlberg's 19 points, on the other hand, will be converted into nine points and one star.

Manfred Schmid

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The star means that Altach are now tied on points, which could give them an important advantage over bottom club Lustenau (5 points) and WSG Tirol (7) in the relegation battle. Augustine Boakye had given WAC coach Manfred Schmid's side the lead (9'), Vesel Demaku scored for the visitors shortly afterwards (15'). The Rheindörfler thus remain without a competitive win in 2024.

Lively start
While Altach coach Joachim Standfest sent the visitors onto the pitch with the same starting XI as a week ago against LASK (0-0), Schmid introduced four new players for the hosts compared to the 4-0 defeat at Sturm Graz. The biggest surprise was the rotation in the goalkeeper position, with Lukas Gütlbauer replacing regular keeper Hendrick Bonmann. The 23-year-old had only played in the Cup so far and will now get to work on changing the guard in the Lavanttal in the next few league games.

The game started with efficiency on both sides. Adis Jasic set up Boakye, who finished off a solo run on the edge of the penalty area with a left-footed shot to take the lead and score his sixth goal of the season. But the home side's joy did not last long. After a slip-up in the WAC defense, the ball ended up with Demaku, who slotted home the equalizer. That was the end of the glory. Boakye (23') and SCR striker Atdhe Nuhiu (26') missed good opportunities for both teams before the break.

Second half without excitement
The second half passed without much excitement, but Altach were the more active and dangerous team. Nuhiu missed the best opportunity to take the lead when he headed over the WAC goal from three meters out following a corner. Gustavo Santos also missed the target just three minutes after coming on as a substitute (75'), while Jan Jurcec, who had also been substituted, failed to beat Gütlbauer (83').

The Vorarlberg side are thus still waiting for their second away win of the season, which can now only come in the lower play-off at the earliest. Meanwhile, Mike-Steven Bähre will miss the start of the qualifying group after picking up his ninth yellow card against WAC.