After two defeats:

Wolfsberger AC against GAK from 5pm LIVE

Celebration at the WAC: The "Wolves" win 4:2 against the GAK.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

After two defeats in a row, the WAC returned to winning ways: The "Wolves" tore the promoted team GAK apart and won 4:2.

GAK still have to wait for their first win in the Bundesliga in 17 years. On Sunday, the team from Graz lost 2:4 (0:1) at WAC in the fourth round, with Michael Lang (80') and Michael Cheukoua (82') scoring late consolation goals. Dominik Baumgartner (34'), Thierno Ballo (60') and "joker" Erik Kojzek (65', 73') ensured victory for the more composed Carinthians. They were able to breathe a sigh of relief after two defeats in a row.

WAC made changes in four positions, including Sankara Karamoko in attack for the first time since last season, who had to make way for Kojzek at the break. The most obvious change for GAK was the switch to a back four. In an evenly-matched but error-strewn first half, neither team had much to offer in the way of footballing delicacies or chances. The newly promoted team at least put in a committed and, above all, focused performance to avoid conceding an early goal this time.

WAC coach Didi Kühbauer

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

However, they were unable to prevent the WAC from taking the lead, which was scored from a corner kick. Baumgartner was able to win the infight with Dennis Dressel and headed in. However, GAK reacted calmly, pushed the playful element and deserved the equalizer. The supposed 1:1 by Tio Cipot a little later (36') was disallowed for offside, and minutes later the brilliantly reacting WAC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster remained the winner against Cipot, who was alone on goal (45').

Dominik Baumgartner (right) scored to make it 1:0 for the WAC.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

WAC stepped up their game in the second half
Graz also cut a good figure at the start of the second half, but completely lost control of the game within five minutes on the hour mark. First Ballo scored from 17 meters after a beautiful Gattermayer solo to make it 2:0 for the WAC, then David Atanga intercepted a bad pass from Graz and assisted Kojzek to make it 3:0. The GAK were now visibly staggering towards the end, the 18-year-old Slovenian Kojzek made everything clear with the 4:0.

Nevertheless, the Red Jackets showed morale and fluid combinations. First Lang successfully finished one of them, then he crossed for Cheukoua, who headed in from close range. However, that was no longer enough to reverse the trend. GAK remain on two points, while WAC increased their tally to six.

The final score:

Wolfsberger AC - Grazer AK 4:2 (1:0)
Wolfsberg, Lavanttal-Arena, refereed by Jäger

Goals: 1:0 (34.) Baumgartner, 2:0 (60.) Ballo, 3:0 (65.) Kojzek, 4:0 (73.) Kojzek, 4:1 (80.) Lang, 4:2 (82.) Cheukoua

WAC: Polster - Matic (46. Omic), Wimmer, Baumgartner, Ullmann - Jasic, Piesinger - Gattermayer (64. Atanga), Zukic (81. Altunashvili), Ballo (88. Diabate) - Karamoko (46. Kojzek)

GAK: Meierhofer - M. Lang, M. Jovicic, Filipovic, Italiano (89. Holzhacker) - Satin, Dressel - Cipot (61. Vucic), Lichtenberger (74. Perchtold), Frieser (61. Zaizen) - Maderner (61. Cheukoua)

Yellow cards: Ullmann, Ballo, Jasic, Zukic, Baumgartner and Dressel respectively