Conference League: 1:3 Loss to Omonia Nicosia a Self-Defeat for Rapid Vienna
In the league phase of the Football Conference League, Rapid suffered their first defeat and thus a setback in the fight for direct entry into the round of 16. The Hütteldorfers lost 1:3 (0:0) at Omonia Nicosia on Thursday. The goals for the Cypriots were scored by Andronikos Kakoulli (52.), Willy Semedo (66.) and Alioum Saidou (96.). Rapid's only goal was scored by Dion Beljo (62.). The Viennese team has now gone five competitive games without a win.
Setback for Rapid in Conference League: 1:3 at Omonia
To make it into the top 8, Rapid needs to end this series at home against FC Copenhagen next Thursday (9:00 PM) in the final round of the league phase. Only this will spare them the first knockout round in spring. After three wins and a draw from the first four games, it was already clear that the Green-Whites would spend the winter in the European Cup.
Rapid coach Robert Klauß stuck with the same starting line-up as in the spectacular 2:2 draw in the league in Salzburg on Saturday. Guido Burgstaller, who was suspended at the time and has scored six goals in ten European Cup games this season, initially sat on the bench. He was replaced by Nikolaus Wurmbrand from the start. For the 18-year-old, it was his debut in a European Cup starting eleven. Isak Jansson came on at half-time for captain Matthias Seidl.
Hütteldorfers Only Dominant Before Half-Time
Rapid was clearly the dominant team before half-time in front of almost 1,000 travelling supporters. However, Omonia kept the centre tight, making life difficult for the Hütteldorfers. An initial header from Louis Schaub after a cross from Jonas Auer was a bit too central and thus reachable for Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (11.). A shot from Seidl went over (28.), Wurmbrand failed to get the ball on target after a pass from the captain (43.).
On the opposing side, Niklas Hedl had to intervene for the first time in a shot by Alpha Diounkou (37.). Five minutes later, a bounce from the Cypriot full-back narrowly missed the goal. Shortly after the break, Kakoulli took advantage of a lapse in concentration in Rapid's defence. Omonia's lone striker slipped away on the left wing, Bendeguz Bolla, and sunk the ball high into the far corner.
Rapid was behind for the first time in the current league phase, the shock lasted about ten minutes. Then Auer made a strong move on the left side, found Beljo in the penalty area - and the Croatian kept his cool in the scramble and pushed for the equaliser. The joy of the Hütteldorfers was short-lived, as the recently substituted Semedo dealt them another blow with a powerful shot into the far corner after a pass from Kakoulli.
Cyprus Remains Difficult Ground for Rapid
Klauß brought in Burgstaller for Wurmbrand, but the turnaround did not happen. Uzoho tamed a shot from Jansson (85.), Hedl had to stretch considerably for a header from Alioum Saidou (86.). In a final free kick in stoppage time, the Rapid goalkeeper had moved forward. Because Jansson played the ball into an opponent's legs, Saidou ran alone towards the empty goal and made the final decision.
Rapid is still waiting for their first victory in Cyprus. After five guest appearances at clubs on the Mediterranean island, they have four losses and one draw. Omonia, on the other hand, ended a negative streak of three consecutive defeats in the Conference League. The fourth-placed team from Cyprus can therefore dream of promotion again.
(APA/Red)
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