For the third time in a row, second division team SV Guntamatic Ried remained without a home win in a 2:4 (1:1) draw against SKN St. Pölten. In contrast to the international break at the beginning of September, the upcoming two-week phase without a game comes at the best possible time. A little over a month ago, after the interruption, we couldn’t really get out of the starting blocks. There were two defeats and one draw in four games. The only win was the comeback with a 3-2 win in Amstetten.
Of course, there are explanations for the fact that the Innviertel team is currently only in fourth place in the table. The opponents have now adjusted better to the Innviertel team. The clear victories at the start of the season were against teams like Lafnitz, Horn and Stripfing, who are now at the bottom of the table. With Saliou Sane, the Innviertel team also lost their best goalscorer due to injury. However, that cannot be an excuse for the Innviertler squad.
However, it was also obvious against St. Pölten that in the duels before St. Pölten’s Elijah Just’s dream goal they were left behind a total of five times and were a tick too late when it came to cut balls. The yellow-red card for Niki Havenaar was also completely unnecessary, as he will probably not be available for the Innviertler team twice in the fall because he will be automatically suspended for the next game and will have to take another break as soon as his suspension ends sees the next yellow card. All of this at the worst possible time, because the three strongest opponents are now waiting: Austria Lustenau, Kapfenberg and Admira. Conversely, of course, this also gives the chance to reduce the current three-point lead over the Lower Austrians in a direct duel. Sports director Wolfgang Fiala still tries to keep the emotion level low. “The trend is not positive, but we are three points behind the first. This is not the time for a crisis mode.”
Board meeting on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Fiala will give his report on the sporting situation at the board meeting. Here, too, the term “crisis meeting” is not appropriate – it is the usual meeting that has been scheduled for a long time. Fiala’s conclusion: “The virtues that distinguished us at the beginning of this season – this dusty playing without conceding a goal, are what we are missing at the moment. We make mistakes that are too easy and concede goals too easily. After the international break we have to do something different again Show your face.”
ePaper
Author
Harald Bartl
Deputy Head of Sports Department
Harald Bartl
