Vienna Concludes 2025 Home Match Year with a Deserved Victory
In the 14th round of the ADMIRAL 2nd League, Vienna played its last home match of the year at the Hohe Warte and earned a well-deserved win against Rapid II. The Döbling side took the lead after 21 minutes and doubled it after the break to make it 2–0, securing a confident home victory to close out the year.
In their final home match of the year at the Hohe Warte, Vienna faced the young Rapid team. Coach Kleer’s side aimed to finish the 2025 home campaign with a positive result in front of their own fans and made two changes compared to their last appearance before the international break: Edelhofer and Stratznig came into the starting lineup for Schmidt and Titkov.
Cautious Opening Phase in Freezing Conditions
In freezing temperatures, both teams began by feeling each other out. The opening minutes were shaped by caution, and scoring opportunities were rare. Vienna stood firm, and only in the 10th minute did Rapid II attempt a long-range effort, which proved harmless and no problem for Vienna goalkeeper Giuliani, who once again started in goal.
Vienna Takes Control
Shortly afterwards, the Döbling side also tried their luck from distance: a shot from Edelhofer missed the target. In the 21st minute, however, Vienna struck clinically—on their first real chance of the game. Edelhofer broke through on the wing and delivered a precise cross into the box, where Zimmermann rose highest and headed the ball into the net to make it 1–0.
Chances to Make It 2–0 Before the Break
Kleer’s team continued to push forward. In the 32nd minute, Vienna combined well again: Edelhofer laid the ball off to Stratznig just outside the box, but his powerful shot skimmed narrowly past the top corner. Shortly before the break, in the 43rd minute, Seo created another dangerous moment. His long-range shot also went just wide—Vienna could have easily doubled their lead in this phase.
Strong Start to the Second Half and an Early 2–0
Vienna came out unchanged for the second half and immediately picked up the pace. Only two minutes after the restart, in the 47th minute, they had a huge chance: first Zimmerman was denied by the Rapid goalkeeper, then Seo was brought down in the box while trying to finish, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Seo stepped up and confidently converted the penalty to put the hosts 2–0 ahead.
Vienna With a Bit of Luck
The visitors had their best chance in the 63rd minute. Strunz received a perfect ball at the edge of the six-yard box, but Giuliani reacted quickly, forcing the Rapid attacker to push the ball wide. Shortly afterwards, Vienna coach Kleer brought on fresh legs: Schmidt replaced Zimmermann, and Abdijanovic came on for Edelhofer.
Just minutes later, Vienna had to breathe a sigh of relief. In the 69th minute, Szerencsi deflected a dangerous Rapid shot onto the post, and the follow-up effort was crucially blocked for a corner by Bauer—a double chance that could easily have resulted in a goal.
Vienna Remains Dangerous
In the 74th minute, Seo initiated another big chance for the Döbling side with a perfect through ball. Abdijanovic ran into space and fired from a tight angle, missing the far corner by inches. Vienna remained the more dangerous team in this phase. In the 81st minute, Schmidt chased down a ball in a footrace, but a Rapid defender blocked his shot at the last moment.
Shortly afterwards, Djuricin replaced the strong Seo.
Confident Finish and a Successful End to the Year
In the closing stages, coach Kleer brought on Zahirovic for captain Luxbacher. Vienna managed the game confidently, allowed nothing defensively, and sealed a deserved 2–0 home victory—ending the 2025 home match year on a positive note.
Next week, the Döbling side travels to face SW Bregenz. The home match against Stripfing has been cancelled. The final match of the year awaits on December 13, another away game against the promoted team from Salzburg.
First Vienna FC 1894 vs. SK Rapid II 2–0 (1–0)
ADMIRAL 2nd League, Round 14
Friday, November 21, 2025, 8:30 p.m.
Naturarena Hohe Warte, 1,374 spectators
Goals: 1–0 Zimmermann (21’), 2–0 Seo (48’)
