Austria slides in Thalgau – State Cup over

Austria did not cover itself with glory on Tuesday night in Thalgau. Against last year’s league champions Salzburg, Scheider won 4:3 (2:0). The Landescup chapter thus came to an end for the season.

“Anyone who scores four goals as a team in the regional league in Thalgau, goals like that, shouldn’t be surprised.”Coach Christian Scheider was decisive after the match. Besides the misuse of opportunities, unfamiliar defensive mistakes were largely responsible for the defeat. “We defended badly, scored four goals almost identically. It’s not that easy.”

Austria fell behind for the first time in the 13th minute. Almir Omanovic put the ball under the crossbar to give Thalgau the lead. Several Austrians among the 500 spectators thought there was still enough time. At the latest, Franz Mrkonic scored the second goal in the 27th minute, giving way to confidence. Bad start, but in reality there is still enough time to score three goals against the current 14th place in the Salzburg league.
The attempts were certainly there, but the Austrians’ chances were weak and the difference remained at the break.

After the break, Austria acted more purposefully. Thalgau still found good chances, but in the 57th minute Aleksander Schweegwer reduced the lead to 2:1 after a fine cross from Gavrilo Funga. Instead of equalizing, Thalgao restored the difference with two goals (3: 1, d65, Mendim Fatahaj).

Now the Austrian engine is finally gaining momentum. Fast and through the sides, a championship-proven concept – but difficult to implement in the tight space of Thalgau – Thalgau was running into mounting problems. Fuchel’s first goal (75th minute) was deserved, as was Marinco Sorda’s equalizer to make it 3-3 in the 84th minute. Thalgau seemed to falter and Violet’s winning goal was within reach. Another defensive error caused the opposite: Thalgau’s goal in the 89th minute.

With this, Salzburg bid farewell to the Austrian State Cup in its first appearance. Bitter, but that was not enough. The team doesn’t have much time to recover, as the home match (4pm) against FC Kufstein is already scheduled for Saturday.