[ad_1]
LASK jumped the first hurdle in qualifying for the European Football League, and how! The athletes buried Slovak leader Dunajska Streda at 7-0 (2-0) under a landslide of goals. The biggest European Cup victory in the club’s 112-year history was a € 300,000 prize. Next Thursday, the play-off will be on the jackpot: another victory would be worth around three million euros and thus return to the group stage.
After the 1-1 draw against Tirol in the Bundesliga last Saturday, the athletes struggled to seize their opportunities. On Thursday the knot burst with a bang. Reinhold Ranftl fired the first warning shot after 13 seconds. Hussein Balic stumbled on his chance (3rd) – then came the appearance of Marko Raguz.
The Slovaks expected a long shot from James Holland into the box, but the Australian served Peter Michorl briefly. Raguz took the center perfectly and knocked out goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka – 1-0 (6th). The 2-0 (12th) was even better: Raguz scored the back pass from Andreas Gruber’s defender with a twist.
Three goals in seven minutes
Only then did Dunajska Streda also play. Alexander Schlager only had to intervene when Marko Divkovic fired (28th). The Slovaks scored 32 goals in nine competitive games this season, and on Thursday the LASK defense shut down the peat factory. Following Petar Filipovic’s 3-0 victory after a Michorl corner kick, the resistance was finally broken (46th).
The Slovaks lost their nerve – Cesar Blackman spotted Rene Renner Rot (48th) after a lack of frustration – and then the order. LASK took advantage of this mercilessly with three goals in seven minutes: Michorl circled the ball with his weaker right leg towards Kreuzeck (51st), Gruber used a pass from Raguz (53rd), Balic scored 6-0 (58th) . ). Substitute Thomas Sabitzer made it 7-0 (77th). “It’s something nice, we played a very good game. It can continue like this,” said Michorl.
Out on thursday
All the attackers had scored and gained confidence for the tasks ahead. After Sunday’s Bundesliga home game against Wolfsberg (5pm), a knockout match for a Europa League place against Sporting or Aberdeen will take place on Thursday. The duel was still going on when this number went to press.
In any case, the effort will be even greater due to the trip. On Thursday, all the actors had to pass a stage fright test before the game. Temperature was measured in a total of 200 people who were able to enter the stadium, only one of the required measurements.
15 DAC fans came to Linz to support their team. They made themselves felt from the old entrance to the standing living room. At LASK, the substitute players formed the temporary block of fans: they were not allowed to sit on the bench and they cheered in the stands with a safe distance, only at the beginning, because soon they could enjoy the gala by reclining.
Article of
Günther Mayrhofer
