2:2 against Altach

SCR Altach vs Austria Lustenau – LIVE from 5pm

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

At the end of a disappointing season, Austria Lustenau bowed out of the Bundesliga with a draw in the derby. The relegated team turned the game around in a 2-2 draw at Altach on Saturday and almost celebrated their first win of the season against their local rivals. However, Paul Koller (89') saved Altach, who were hoping for the perfect derby season, from a home defeat in front of a sell-out crowd (8,500 fans).

The Rheindörfler had remained flawless in the previous three duels (3:0, 3:0, 1:0). After the relegation question was answered, there was little to play for in sporting terms at the end of the season, but it was still full of atmosphere and emotion. After Gustavo Santos made it 1-0 (11'), Matheus Lins (45.+4) and Yadaly Diaby (63') even gave the Green-Whites a flirtation with a prestigious victory. However, the hosts were rewarded for a phase of pressure in the final stages. Altach finished the season in tenth place, while Lustenau had to return to the second division after two seasons in the Oberhaus.

Schierl not in the squad
Lustenau's regular goalkeeper Domenik Schierl was not in the squad after rumored pithy anti-Altach slogans. Simon Nesler-Täubl, just 19 years old, was caught cold early on in his league debut. He misjudged a chip from Vesel Demaku, Santos was quicker to get his shoulder to the ball, which then bounced into the empty goal (11').

Lustenau's reaction was still muted before Ben Bobzien appeared to have won a penalty with a dribble. However, referee Arnes Talic reversed the decision after viewing the video footage. Altach goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic had first touched the ball and then the foot of the Lustenau striker.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Lukas Fadinger missed the 2:0 after a long Santos pass. The attacker's shot, which would also have had contact, just missed the far corner (35'). Lustenau scored twice through the lively Diaby (39th/centre, 40th/over) and equalized in stoppage time: Lins headed in from a Bobzien corner (45.+4).

Altach had the chance to go ahead again. However, after a mistake by Maak, Santos failed with a central attempt against Nesler-Täubl, who was also on hand to save Fadinger's follow-up shot (49'). The two most eye-catching Green-Whites then combined to give the visitors the lead. Bobzien set up Diaby, who fired in a powerful shot from a good 20 meters. Stojanovic had no chance when the five-time goalscorer of the season struck his shot (63').

Altach celebrate late on
The hosts responded with a Santos header (72') and a dangerous effort from substitute Jan Zwischenbrugger (78'), which Nesler-Täubl defused, as did the subsequent Bahloul clearance. Altach pressed for the equalizer and cheered late on. After a corner kick, Koller pushed the ball over the line with his heel in the turmoil to make it 2:2.

Lustenau then wavered, but managed to hold on to the point by hook or by crook.