It’s been a long time since there was a Ried district duel in the West Regional League. Since the promotions of the Utzenaich/Antiesenhofen syndicate and the USV Neuhofen last season, two clubs from the district are once again competing in Upper Austria’s second highest league in the current season. On Saturday (2 p.m.) Neuhofen welcomes their local rivals to the Fill-Metallbau Stadium. In terms of points and also in the table, the gap between the two Rieder league newcomers is not large at four points. While the SPG is in eleventh place in the table, Neuhofen is currently in 14th place. The mood and the signs could hardly be more different between the two newcomers from Ried.
“It’s five to twelve,” says Neuhofen sports director Daniel Peer, clearly expressing his team’s current situation. They have been without a win for eight games. The team, coached by the two ex-Ried professionals Thomas Reifeltshammer and Marcel Ziegl, is still having a hard time, especially abroad. Eight of the nine points earned were won on our own facility. However, the away weakness is not the sole cause of the current sporting situation, says Peer. “There are always several reasons for such a negative run. The fact is that we can only survive in this league if every individual on the pitch reaches their performance limits. We have always made that clear. Unfortunately, that has not been the case for several weeks Case.” Peer is now holding his team responsible for the remaining two games in the autumn season. “I have to stand up for our two coaches, they’re doing a great job. That’s why the boys owe it to them too.”
Experienced man helps out again
Of course, it’s best for Neuhofen to deliver on Saturday. A win against the local rivals would restore contact with the lower midfield. With complete success, the syndicate could build up a small cushion on the lower ranks. Josef Feichtinger also knows this. “Of course it would be important to win against a direct competitor. But the good thing is: we can score, Neuhofen has to,” says the SPG coach, who is “totally satisfied” with the way the season has gone so far.
“We were competitive in almost every game, the 13 points so far are a great success for us,” says Feichtinger. The SPG has also been able to rely on an old friend again for two games: veteran Saban Muratovic, who played a key role in the SPG’s rise last season as a leader, is back on the pitch after a short break. Muratovic actually ended his career in the summer. “Saban is of course good for us as a target player on the pitch. He is a passionate footballer and therefore couldn’t last long without training,” says Feichtinger with a smile. “We are a relaxed group that has a lot of fun together. This solidarity is what sets us apart; we know where we come from.” And you also know where you want to stay: namely in the national league. “We still have three games to play in the fall. If we get three to four more points, it would be a great first half of the season for us,” says Feichtinger. “I assume that 30 points will easily be enough to stay in the league.”
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Image: Reinhard Schröckelsberger
Source: Nachrichten
