Still winless, but:

GAK against Blau-Weiß Linz – LIVE from 5pm

Lots of fighting and drama, but no winner in the duel between GAK and FC Blau-Weiß Linz ...

(Bild: GEPA)

Promoted GAK still have to wait for their first win in over 17 years in the Bundesliga! The 2-2 draw against Blau-Weiß Linz on Saturday at least felt a bit like a "three-pointer" after a comeback. Ronivaldo (10') and Kristijan Dobras (40') had given the efficient Linzers a 2-0 lead at the break, before new signing Tio Cipot (60') and Petar Filipovic (73') secured GAK's deserved second point of the season.

Daniel Maderner returned to the GAK attack following his injury, while Cipot made his debut in the starting eleven. Blau-Weiß once again opted for a back four, with veteran Andreas Lukse in goal to replace Nicolas Schmid, who was about to leave for Southampton.

After a five-minute delay and once the smoke from various pots of fans had cleared, a lively game began, which Thomas Goiginger opened up with the first good chance. The attacker failed to beat goalkeeper Jakob Meierhofer from an acute angle, but he was beaten a few moments later: Ronivaldo took a sharp Anderson delivery perfectly, spun around his opponent and shot into the far corner.

Rosenberger deflects harmless free-kick to make it 0:2
GAK continued to try, but were unsuccessful in the final third - only the visitors were dangerous. Meierhofer made saves against Kristijan Dobras (21st) and Goiginger (22nd). Only a blocked Maderner attempt and his subsequent header just over the goal (23) briefly gave the GAK fans hope. However, their hopes were quickly extinguished shortly before the break when Benjamin Rosenberger's harmless Dobras free-kick was unfortunately deflected to make it 2-0. He had already conceded an own goal in the opening 2:3 against Salzburg.

Cipot heralds the comeback
The second half began with the visitors defending and an active GAK, who - now with a back four instead of a back three - were unable to produce any threatening finishes. On the hour mark, however, the time had come: Cipot slotted home from close range after an assist from Maderner, heralding the comeback.

Ten minutes later, a free-kick and Filipovic-Köpfler made it 2:2, heralding an exciting final phase. GAK came a lot closer to another goal, but missed it just as narrowly as Filipovic missed the goal again with his head at the best opportunity (85'). In the final minute it was Lukse who thwarted Atsushi Zaizen to give GAK victory.

The result:
GAK - FC Blau-Weiß Linz 2:2 (0:2)
Graz, Merkur Arena, 5575 spectators, referee Gishamer

Goals: 0:1 (10.) Ronivaldo, 0:2 (40.) Dobras, 1:2 (60.) Cipot, 2:2 (73.) Filipovic

Yellow cards: Cipot, Lichtenberger, Zaizen and Mensah respectively

GAK: Meierhofer - Gantschnig (46. Lichtenberger), Filipovic, Jovicic - Rosenberger (46. Italiano), Satin, Dressel, M. Lang - Cipot (81. Perchtold), Maderner (61. Vucic), Frieser (72. Zaizen)
Blau-Weiß: Lukse - Pirkl, Moormann, Maranda, Anderson - Seidl (74. Briedl), Dantas, Dobras (64. Pasic) - Noß (64. Mensah), Ronivaldo (64. Schmidt), Goiginger