Another Self-Inflicted Setback: GAK Suffers Defeat at Austria Wien
"GAK's Struggles Deepen: Costly Own Goals and Missed Chances Lead to Defeat Against Austria Wien"
GAK, the league’s bottom team, continues its winless streak and once again falls short, this time after a bitter own goal. The struggling club couldn’t find a way out of their ongoing crisis as they suffered an unnecessary 1-2 defeat against Austria Wien on Saturday.
Despite the team’s efforts to secure their first win of the season, head coach Gernot Messner made significant changes to the starting eleven. He reshuffled the squad in five positions, including the introduction of center-backs Lukas Graf and Marco Gantschnig, who, alongside Petar Filipovic, formed a new defensive trio.
Missed Opportunities
Romeo Vucic, on loan to GAK from Austria Wien, had the game’s first clear opportunity but failed to capitalize. However, in the 23rd minute, the newly promoted GAK faced what has become an all-too-familiar setback. Gantschnig first misjudged an attempt to mark Nik Prelec outside the penalty area and then fouled him inside. The penalty decision held up under VAR review, and Dominik Fitz calmly converted from the spot to put Austria Wien ahead.
Tactical Adjustments, But No Breakthrough
In response, Messner pulled Dominik Frieser from the attacking line into the midfield to strengthen their presence. The tactic appeared to pay off as GAK managed to create more chances. In the 30th minute, Vucic had a chance to equalize, but the referee did not respond to GAK’s appeals for a penalty after what they claimed was dangerous play by Austria’s Graf.
An Own Goal Brings Hope
The second half started positively for GAK, as they gained momentum and pressed Austria Wien. Benjamin Rosenberger won possession on the right flank and attempted to find substitute Atsushi Zaizen in the middle. But Austria’s defender, Lucas Galvao, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing GAK the equalizer they desperately needed.
A Second Bitter Own Goal Ends GAK’s Hopes
However, the joy was short-lived. In an unfortunate turn of events, Lukas Graf’s attempted clearance ended up as a disastrous own goal after goalkeeper Jakob Meierhofer’s block ricocheted off him, restoring Austria Wien’s lead. This unnecessary setback proved to be the final blow to GAK’s hopes of turning the game around.
In the final minutes, GAK threw everything they had into finding another equalizer, but it wasn’t to be. Their frustration was compounded when Petar Filipovic was sent off in the 99th minute with a second yellow card, reducing GAK to 10 men in the dying moments of the match.
