Bundesliga

LIVE from 14:30: GAK in derby against Hartberg

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

TSV Hartberg went into the winter break with every chance of making it back into the Champions League. Coach Manfred Schmid's team celebrated an unchallenged 3:0 victory in the Styrian derby against GAK on Sunday. 

Patrik Mijic was right on target from a corner kick in Graz (36'), Dominik Prokop scored from the penalty spot (60') and Donis Avdijaj (84') with a header. GAK lost their second game in a row and remain stuck in the basement of the table.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Both teams had to cope with recent failures. The crazy 3:4 against WAC reverberated in the Reds' camp for a long time. Hartberg arrived in Graz in a difficult phase. The eighth-placed Styrians have only managed two points from their last five games against big opponents. Schmid spoke of one of the most important games of the season. They are now three points off sixth-placed Blau-Weiß Linz.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The visitors had more of the game from the start, which was long characterized by harmlessness due to a focus on safety and a lazy approach. Hartberg were initially most dangerous from corners. Paul Komposch created space for himself with a slight push against Milos Jovicic and headed just wide (11'). Another corner led to the lead. Avdijaj headed back into the center, where Mijic was quick to act (36'). It was the Croatian's seventh goal of the season.

Rene Poms

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Harmless GAK
Rene Poms' defensive plan was thus thrown out the window. The Red Jackets rarely managed to penetrate dangerously into the final third. Hartberg almost increased their lead before the break. Benjamin Rosenberger gifted the ball to Furkan Demir and GAK goalkeeper Jakob Meierhofer successfully stuck his leg out. Dominik Prokop fired the follow-up shot over the orphaned goal from 20 meters (44').

There was more pace after the break. GAK briefly managed to level the match, but without creating any major scoring opportunities. In the 57th minute, Prokop was brought down in a tackle against Rosenberger. Referee Christopher Jäger immediately pointed to the spot and was vindicated by the TV pictures. The fouled player scored himself.

Manfred Schmid

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Hartberg then managed the game to their heart's content, dwindling strength was not an issue three days after the 4-0 defeat in Salzburg. Avdijaj initially failed to beat goalkeeper Meierhofer (80'), but then headed home the final goal after a counter-attack (84'). Both teams finished the game with ten men. Demir was sent off after his second yellow foul, while substitute Michael Lang - recently GAK's own goal scorer - was sent off for criticism and kicking the ball away in one action (94').

GAK - TSV Hartberg 0:3 (0:1)
Graz, Merkur Arena, refereed by Jäger.

Goals:
0:1 (36.) Mijic
0:2 (60.) Prokop (foul penalty)
0:3 (84.) Avdijaj

GAK: Meierhofer - M. Jovicic, Gantschnig (82. Vucic), Kreuzriegler - Frieser, Dressel, Satin, Rosenberger (63. M. Lang) - Lichtenberger (70. Zaizen), Maderner, Cipot (63. Italiano)

Hartberg: Sallinger - Heil, Komposch, Karamatic - Demir, Kainz, Diarra, Pfeifer - Prokop (79. Omoregie), Mijic (79. Hoffmann), Avdijaj (88. Fillafer)

Yellow-Red: M. Lang (95./criticism) and Demir (92./repeated foul)

Yellow cards: Kreuzriegler, Rosenberger, Jovicic, Maderner or Pfeifer, Omoregie