Defeat at the start

Austria suffer a bitter setback at the start

To hide: New signing Florent Berisha (left) and goalkeeper Kalman lose with Austria in the opener.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Surprise at the Westliga opener: Austria Salzburg loses against Silz/Mötz and gives the pursuers hope again. Bischofshofen, meanwhile, put up a good fight and won confidently. Wals-Grünau clinch the three-pointer thanks to a penalty in the final minutes. Pinzgau closes in on Austria.

The Violets had imagined things very differently. While Austria Salzburg's entire winter preparation was about the framework conditions for promotion to the second division, coach Christian Schaider prepared his team in sporting terms. However, a 3:1 defeat in Silz/Mötz at the start of spring put a bitter damper on things. "They were the better team and wanted it more. We didn't invest enough," admitted the head coach, adding: "Of course we're very disappointed." Because the game quickly went in a clear direction. Yannic Fötschl only scored the consolation goal in stoppage time.

Had nothing to smile about after the game against Silz/Mötz: Christian Schaider.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Third goalkeeper had to come in
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Manuel Kalman was injured through no fault of his own and had to come off after just under an hour. Because two-goalkeeper Moritz Hutt had torn his inner ligament in preparation, Schaider had to bring on 19-year-old Edin Omerovic. "He did well with the actions he had. Edin is a young lad, but a good goalkeeper," said the coach. He may have to rely on the regular three-goalkeeper for longer. With Kalman, anything is possible, from a pulled muscle to a muscle fiber tear - clarity should follow at the beginning of the week.

The beneficiary of the purple slip-up was FC Pinzgau. The Saalfelden side beat St. Johann 1:0 in the derby, with goalkeeper Kilian Schröcker emerging as the man of the match. In the last action of the game, the goalkeeper saved a penalty from Flo Ellmer. "That's when the pump went off," grinned the 22-year-old. Schröcker and Co. moved to within two points of Austria. The goalkeeper immediately followed up with a challenge: "We want to become champions of the Westliga." However, the Maxglaners would not be begrudged promotion. "It's enough if they finish second," said coach Hannes Schützinger with a wink.

Narrow victory in Grünau
Bischofshofen, meanwhile, won confidently, securing a 2:0 victory at home against Rankweil. Bohdan Kuksenko scored twice (20th, 66th) for the Pongau side. Wals-Grünau claimed a narrow victory. After an early goal from Moussa Dembele (12), the game slipped out of their hands. Röthis played well and equalized with a Sunday shot into the corner of the net. But Christoph Knaus' team did not let up and won a penalty shortly before the end. Savo Pajic, who had only come on as a substitute in the 81st minute, stepped up and converted with ease (91').