“The group showed that they can perform in pressure situations. That was an important sign for me too,” said SV Ried sports director Wolfgang Fiala after the 3-0 away win in the 2nd football league against the Sturm amateurs Graz. After the 0-1 defeat in the top game against Admira, the pressure on the Innviertel team had recently increased again – with the strong performance in Gleisdorf, the Vikings once again gave the right answer. “We achieved a relatively safe win against the currently strongest team in the second division,” says Fiala.
After a good half hour, the Vikings rewarded themselves for a courageous performance: Fabian Wohlmuth prevailed in the header duel after a long ball from Jonas Mayer, Wilfried Eza (33rd) was spot on and scored to make it 1-0. Mark Grosse added the second goal in the 64th minute with a side kick, and the goal that made it 3-0 was just as worth seeing: After a cross from Mayer, substitute Fabian Rossdorfer elegantly handled the ball and scored for the third time that evening for the Rieders. A clear 3-0 win that somewhat defused the tense situation before the international break. With another defeat, the pressure on coach Senft would have increased further – even if Fiala says: “I am convinced of the current constellation. But I know that we have a goal for the season. And I have to make my decisions so that we can achieve this.”
Test match against Horn
During the league break – Ried will play a friendly match against second division rivals SV Horn on Thursday – the personnel situation should also ease again: Ante Bajic was allowed to play for half an hour in the guest game in Styria after his tonsillitis and will be in the next home game on March 22nd November against Bregenz will be in top shape again.
All that remains are the failures of Saliou Sane and David Bumberger. While the 32-year-old German will not be available again until spring due to a herniated disc, it is hoped that the left wing player will return to training in the autumn after his pubic bone injury.
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**Interview with Wolfgang Fiala, Sports Director of SV Ried**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Wolfgang. Congratulations on the impressive 3-0 victory against Sturm Graz’s amateurs. How significant was this win for the team, especially after the recent defeat against Admira?
**Wolfgang Fiala:** Thank you! This win was crucial for us. It not only allowed us to respond to the pressure caused by the previous defeat, but it also demonstrated the team’s ability to perform under pressure. Knowing they could deliver a strong performance against what is currently one of the toughest teams in the league is a great sign moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on the team’s performance? What stood out to you during the match?
**Wolfgang Fiala:** Absolutely. The first half hour was particularly impressive, where we showed considerable courage and determination. The first goal by Wilfried Eza was a testament to our effort; it set the tone for the rest of the game. Goals from Mark Grosse and Fabian Rossdorfer showcased our attacking prowess as well. it was a display of teamwork and discipline that we needed.
**Interviewer:** How do you feel about the current pressure surrounding Coach Senft? Do you think this win alleviated some of that tension?
**Wolfgang Fiala:** Yes, for now, it certainly helps ease the pressure. While I have confidence in Coach Senft and our overall strategy, it’s important for us to stay on track to achieve our season goals. We’ve set high expectations for this team, and every win helps us move toward those objectives.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, you mentioned a friendly match against SV Horn during the league break. How will that impact the team’s preparation?
**Wolfgang Fiala:** The friendly is a great opportunity for us to maintain our momentum and integrate players who are returning from injuries. Ante Bajic’s return is a significant boost, and we hope to have him fully fit for our next home game against Bregenz. Though we still have a few players sidelined, this match will allow us to build on our performance and further solidify our strategy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Wolfgang, for your insights. Best of luck to you and the team in the upcoming matches.
**Wolfgang Fiala:** Thank you for having me! We appreciate the support and look forward to what’s next.