Rapid set pace in Austrian race

By Raimund Fabi

SK Rapid Wien went into the winter break with a one-point advantage at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga having drawn 2-2 with FC Wacker Tirol on Wednesday 8 December.

Mixed fortunes
However, the leaders have endured mixed results of late, beating SV Pasching 3-0 and SK Sturm Graz 4-1, but losing 1-0 to VfB Admira Wacker Mödling and also drawing with Pasching. Rapid have been forced to cope without Austrian captain Andreas Ivanschitz, who has managed only 60 minutes in the last two games after recovering from injury.

Fine run
FK Austria Wien lie second, one point behind Rapid. The pre-season favourites collected eight points from four games - defeating SV Austria Salzburg and SW Bregenz and earning draws against Salzburg and Grazer AK - but in their sixth match inside a fortnight, which includes the UEFA Cup, they lost 2-1 at SV Mattersburg on Wednesday.

Pasching surprise
To many people's surprise, Pasching are still in touch at the top, moving to within two points of Rapid with a 1-0 win at Salzburg on 8 December. Despite losing to Rapid a month ago, victories against Wacker and at GAK kept them in contention. Pasching also boast Christian Mayrleb, the Austrian Bundesliga's top scorer with 15 goals.

Champions faltering
Champions GAK are nine points off the pace despite a resounding 5-2 home success against Admira on Wednesday - giving coach Walter Schachner plenty to ponder as the midwinter break begins. The Graz club can take solace from the fact that they, like Austria, remain in contention for a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. They have a decisive Group F encounter against AZ Alkmaar next Wednesday, while Austria visit Group C rivals FC Utrecht a day later.

Inspired switch
Mattersburg dismissed coach Muhsin Ertugral three weeks ago after nine games without a win, with co-coach Franz Lederer taking sole charge. The change has proved inspired, and Mattersburg have since won four matches in succession to climb to fifth place.

Bregenz boost
However, Bregenz remain rooted to the foot of the table after 21 rounds, with only 17 points. The last game before the break was a potentially pivotal encounter with the side directly above them, Sturm, and although Bregenz were held to a 1-1 draw at home, that result, coupled with their first away win of the season at Admira on 4 December, gives them hope for the new year.