Against second division FAC, the Carinthians had to go into extra time in their cup quarter-finals at home after being 0-1 down and a last-minute equalizer to make it 2-2, which they ultimately won there 4-2 (2-2, 1-1). decided for themselves. Tai Baribo (35th), Dario Vizinger (46th), Thorsten Röcher (118th) and Adis Jasic (120th) ensured a difficult but ultimately deserved victory.
Coach Robin Dutt’s club reached the semi-finals for the third time after 2015 and 2021, with possible dates for the games on March 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The FAC, which is third in the table and fighting for promotion in the 2nd division, was allowed to at least speculate with the sensation after the lead by Joao Oliveira (20th) and the 2: 2 by Daniel Rechberger (90th + 7), had to give up the dream of first semi-finals for 76 years but shelve.
After a winter break without a new signing, WAC acted in the same way as in the last league game in December, but had to do without one-goalie Alexander Kofler, who was represented by Manuel Kuttin, due to Corona. He caused a moment of shock with a stumble in the second minute, including a direct free kick in the penalty area, but after a good quarter of an hour the WAC seemed to have found their role as favourites.
Just then, however, a further, high ball came to striker Monsberger. The central defender duo Christoph Baumgartner and Luka Lochoshvili let themselves be duped into the top end with a high ball, Monsberger took the ball skillfully and served Oliveira, who shot in from the edge of the penalty area. That fueled the courage of the guests, who seemed more aggressive, always looking for the fast way forward and were the more dangerous team in this way. Just like Monsberger’s solo, but he failed at the end (27th).
WAC, on the other hand, didn’t create any chances for a long time, FAC goalie Lukas Gütlbauer successfully stretched when Eliel Peretz accidentally headed the ball arc lamp (29th). It wasn’t until six minutes later that the Carinthians broke the FAC defense with a cross, and captain Michael Liendl served Baribo, who easily scored. The equalizer was only perfect after a VAR consultation due to being offside.
WAC had the upper hand again, so Gütlbauer had to clear after a corner (28th) as well as just before Dario Vizinger (38th), just before the break Baribo headed over the goal from a penalty spot (43rd). The hosts carried the newly gained momentum into the second half. Almost exactly one minute was played there when Vizinger increased to 2:1 after a one-two and a save by Matthäus Taferner.
With that, the preliminary decision seemed to have been made. The Viennese tried hard, but did not come up with any significant opportunities. The Carinthians, on the other hand, missed a Liendl artful shot from around 40 meters (next / 54th), a Köpfler Lochoshvilis (over / 65th) and a shot from the crossbar by Christopher Wernitznig (84th) to close the sack. This took revenge in the overtime, which was generously measured due to a longer treatment break: As a result of a badly cleared corner, “Joker” Rechberger got the ball and poked it over the line from a short distance.
The FAC got the “second breath”, mostly kept the opponent away from their own goal in the extra time. Jasic headed dangerously over the FAC goal, but the guests also had a chance to take the lead again with an Oliveira shot on the turn (109./miss). Only in the finish, after FAC defender Christian Bubalovic saw yellow-red (109th), did Röcher and Jasic save their team from trembling in the penalty shoot-out.
Source: Nachrichten
