FAN.AT MATCH OF THE ROUND

St. Michael turned a close game around in the new arena

Intense battle brings the desired result (St. Michael, right: Patrick Berger)

(Bild: Fussball-Impressionen vom Salzburger Unterhaus)

In the top duel of the 2nd Landesliga Süd, St. Michael came from 2:1 down to narrowly beat Maria Alm at home. A setback for the visiting title contenders, who are now six points behind unbeaten leaders Mittersill. 

The brand-new Lungau-Arena was the venue for yesterday's clash between two top teams in the 2nd Landesliga Süd: St. Michael are determined not to lose touch with the top three, while Maria Alm have their sights set on the championship. In difficult weather conditions, the encounter was almost expected to be a battle.

There was a lot at stake for both teams in this encounter.

St. Michael-Coach Gerald Payer

Tense opening phase
It did not take long for the game to gather pace, as Lukas Herzog put the visitors ahead after just twelve minutes. Pfeifenberger scored a dream goal a short time later to equalize, taking a rebound in the penalty area and firing powerfully into the corner of the net. Michael Macheiner went one better and turned the game around in the first half with his goal in the 36th minute.

After taking the lead, we controlled the game but conceded two cheap and unnecessary goals.

Maria Alm-Coach Christian Lederer

Increased intensity in the second half
After the restart, the hosts focused even more on defending and only allowed their opponents to create half-chances thanks to their passion and physicality. "St. Michael successfully destroyed the game. We didn't find the right solutions," Maria Alm coach Christian Lederer summed up. The fouls, yellow cards and unsportsmanlike conduct increased. Shortly before the end, the first goalscorer Lukas Herzog, who had been provoked in the right way, was justifiably sent off. 

We had obviously learned our lessons from the painful preparation.

St. Michael-Trainer Gerald Payer

This did not change the final result: St. Michael surprisingly prevailed 2:1 and thus remained on track to achieve their own goals after suffering bitter defeats in preparation. Maria Alm, on the other hand, suffered a setback in the title race, but are still within reach of unbeaten league leaders Mittersill (1:0 against runners-up Neukirchen). Thomas Schaier