A heated 2:1 against GAK

LIVE from 5pm: The 201st Graz derby GAK – Sturm

Sturm Graz scored in stoppage time to make it 2-1.

(Bild: Pail Sepp)

Sturm Graz remain the footballing number one in Graz. The defending champions beat arch-rivals GAK 2:1 (0:0) with great difficulty on Sunday and maintained their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table. Otar Kiteishvili (86') and Malick Yalcouye (92') gave the champions an emotional comeback victory after Marco Perchtold's goal (78').

Sturm won for only the third time in eight spring fixtures and for the first time in derby history in four consecutive matches. GAK have only won one of their last seven games and are in eleventh place. The Reds' last derby win dates back to November 2006.

The city duel was under explosive omens, as both teams have not been doing well in sporting terms recently. Following the riots in the last away derby, Sturm also waived the tickets in the away sector, although the 11,300 stadium visitors included more than just GAK supporters.

Late start
There were four changes for the "Red Jackets" compared to the 2-1 defeat against Austria Vienna. Goalkeeper Florian Wiegele, who had been ill recently, and striker Daniel Maderner returned. Hungarian winter signing Laszlo Kleinheisler made his debut in the starting eleven. At Sturm, Niklas Geyrhofer replaced Dimitri Lavalée, who was suspended with a yellow card, in central defense. Chief defender Gregory Wüthrich was back on the bench after injury.

The match started a quarter of an hour late due to a medical emergency in the stands. Seedy Jatta stumbled up the first attacking opportunity after one minute. Kiteishvili placed his header poorly after the subsequent corner kick (2'). The rest of the first half was devoid of highlights - with both attacking scenes belonging to the imprecise champions. Wiegele prevented the 0:1 in the 17th minute when the GAK goalie deflected a shot from the eye-catching Tomi Horvat from just outside the penalty area onto the left bar. After a Horvat corner kick, Emanuel Aiwu lacked consistency (36').

Exciting second half
GAK drew 0-0 at half-time, but were far from scoring themselves. The hosts failed to put a dangerous ball on the Sturm goal in the first half. That changed in the second half. Lichtenberger outwitted the Sturm defense and failed to beat the rushing Sturm keeper Kjell Scherpen with his lob (52'). Shortly before that, Yalcouye missed a great chance to give Sturm the lead with a close-range shot (49'). GAK defender Antonio Tikvic had served the ball to Kiteishvili as he played out.

(Bild: Pail Sepp)

Both teams then made lively changes and the game flattened out completely. GAK took the lead out of literally nowhere. Geyrhofer blocked Murat Satin's first attempt, while Aiwu deflected Perchtold's second beyond Scherpen's reach. The veteran saw yellow for his exuberant celebration in front of the corner.

Sturm needed a few moments to sort themselves out, but found some answers after a weak second half: the diminutive Kiteishvili successfully tucked in a cross from Max Johnston (86'). GAK decimated themselves in the 88th minute. Perchtold fouled Kiteishvili and was shown yellow and GAK coach Rene Poms was also sent off by referee Harald Lechner. In the 92nd minute, GAK moved wide - and ran into a momentous counter-attack: Leon Grgic stood his ground and served Yalcouye, who remained ice-cold after feinting in front of Wiegele.

The final score:

GAK - SK Sturm Graz 1:2 (0:0)

Graz, Merkur Arena, 11,300, referee Lechner.

Goals: 1:0 (78') Perchtold, 1:1 (86') Kiteishvili, 1:2 (92') Yalcouye

GAK: Wiegele - Graf, Filipovic (84. Gantschnig), Tikvic - Frieser, Satin, Schriebl (46. Perchtold), Rosenberger (46. Schiestl) - Lichtenberger, Maderner (68. Cipot), Kleinheisler (68. Jano)

Storm: Scherpen - Johnston, Aiwu, Geyrhofer (82. Wüthrich), Karic (82. Soglo) - Gorenc Stankovic (71. Chukwuani) - Horvat, Kiteishvili, Yalcouye - Jatta (64. Camara), Böving (72. Grgic)

Red card: Coach Poms (GAK/88th)

Yellow-Red Card: Perchtold (88.)

Yellow cards: Schriebl, Lichtenberger, Maderner, Tikvic or Chukwuani, Yalcouye