Own goal paves the way

GAK vs WSG Tirol – LIVE from 5pm

First win for GAK!

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

On matchday 13, the time has come! GAK beat WSG Tirol 2:1 to celebrate their first win of the season. Daniel Maderner gave Graz the lead after nine minutes. This was equalized shortly after the restart by Tobias Anselm. But an own goal from Jamie Lawrence sealed the defeat for the Tyroleans and sent emotions running high in Graz.

The spell was broken: GAK were able to celebrate their first win in the 13th game of the Bundesliga season. The promoted team beat WSG Tirol 2:1 (1:0) in front of 4,910 spectators at the Merkur Arena on Saturday evening to move level on points with penultimate-placed Altach (9 each) in the table, at least until Sunday. The Tyroleans, who have lost three of their last four competitive games, remain three points above them in tenth place.

Daniel Maderner (9) gave Graz an early lead. After the equalizer from "Joker" Tobias Anselm (60'), it was an own goal from Jamie Lawrence (76') that decided the game. It was the 21-year-old German's second own goal of the season. Graz scored for the third time in a row after a 1-1 draw against Rapid and most recently a 0-0 draw in Salzburg. Under head coach Rene Poms, the trend is clearly pointing upwards.

From problem child to match winner
Maderner had received treatment on his ankle during the warm-up, but quickly provided the first highlight after kick-off. The 1.90-meter man could not be restrained by three WSG players in the penalty area after a Rosenberger cross and headed in from just inside the five. The Styrians took the momentum with them and had a slight advantage in chances in a game with few highlights. Murat Satin's free-kick was saved by the bar (34') and Tio Cipot also shot over (37').

A redeeming victory for the GAK!

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

The Tyroleans came close to equalizing twice shortly before the break. Valentino Müller shot over the bar (38') and Lennart Czyborra headed wide (43'). But another GAK goal could have been scored. A Cipot shot was first saved by Adam Stejskal and then Lawrence cleared off the line (45.+1).

Own goal decides the game
Right after the restart, Christian Lichtenberger should have made everything clear, but failed to beat Stejskal after a counter-attack (52'). That took its revenge a short time later. A Butler cross was deflected slightly and landed at the feet of Anselm, who had come on as a substitute at the break and scored from five yards out via the bottom edge of the crossbar. The visitors, with Friday signing Jonas David making his debut in defense from the 66th minute, suddenly set the tone and the home side looked rattled.

Regardless of this, they struck back. First, Petar Filipovic, who had moved up, missed (74'), before an own goal created a really great atmosphere in the stands. Lawrence unfortunate cleared a harmless cross into his own far corner in front of Maderner, who was ready to shoot. Maderner failed to beat Stejskal with another chance (84'). Nothing changed in the win. The GAK scored again after the 0:0 in the first season duel with the Tyroleans.