Vienna turn around thrilling season finale
For the final matchday of the ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga season, Vienna hosted LASK in Round 22. After a first half with few chances, Vienna went into the break trailing narrowly 0–1. In a much livelier second half, the Blue-Yellows fought back twice and eventually turned the match around to secure a 3–2 home victory.
Emotional farewell before kick-off
In the final round of the ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga, Vienna welcomed LASK. Before the match, emotions ran high as the club bid farewell to several players: Lainie Fuchs, Anna van der Reijden, Alina Kerschbaumer, and Johanna Wende.
Scrappy opening phase lacking rhythm
The match began in a very disjointed fashion. Numerous turnovers, inaccuracies, and a slippery pitch prevented either side from building up play properly. Most of the action took place in midfield, with clear scoring opportunities initially few and far between.
LASK had the first chance of the game in the 8th minute when Wagner struck from the left side, but Vienna goalkeeper Grabenhofer reacted attentively and made the save.
Set pieces provide the few highlights
From open play, both teams struggled to create danger and mainly threatened from set pieces. In the 21st minute, Wasser was fouled near the edge of the penalty area. Osl went for goal directly from the free kick but was denied by the LASK goalkeeper.
Another dangerous situation arose in the 29th minute after another foul on Wasser. Once again, Osl stepped up for the free kick but sent the ball over the bar from a promising position.
Vienna grow into the match
As the first half progressed, Vienna gradually found their footing but still failed to create many clear-cut chances from their spells of possession. The difficult playing surface continued to cause mistakes and misplaced passes for both sides.
LASK strike just before half-time
Shortly before the half-time whistle, the visitors took the lead. Following a corner in the 40th minute, Vrselja was left unmarked at the far post and headed home to make it 1–0 for LASK.
Vienna went into the break trailing by one goal.
Vienna react at half-time
At the start of the second half, Vienna made a double substitution: Laaksonen and Osl stayed in the dressing room, while Fankhauser and Sarac entered the match.
Kovar equalizes
Vienna made the stronger start after the restart and were rewarded in the 51st minute. After a cross into the penalty area, the LASK goalkeeper failed to control the ball, and Kovar reacted quickest to slot home the equalizer for 1–1.
LASK respond immediately
However, the visitors responded almost instantly. Just one minute later, Švíbková raced clear on goal after a counterattack but was brought down by Grabenhofer in a one-on-one situation. Švíbková converted the resulting penalty herself to restore LASK’s lead.
Vienna increasingly take control
In the 55th minute, Vienna introduced fresh legs as Havel replaced Wasser. Soon after, the home side combined dangerously once more: in the 56th minute, Fankhauser laid the ball off for Pfanner, whose effort was too central to trouble the goalkeeper.
LASK responded with a substitution in the 60th minute as Wagner left the pitch and Schmierer came on.
Only a minute later, Vienna equalized again. After a low cross from Fankhauser, Kerschbaumer was perfectly positioned to make it 2–2.
Havel completes the comeback
As the second half went on, Vienna grew stronger and increasingly dominated proceedings. In the 70th minute, Pfanner won the ball brilliantly and shot immediately, but the LASK goalkeeper managed to save.
A minute later, however, she was beaten. Havel was played perfectly into space, rounded the advancing goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Vienna a 3–2 lead.
Vienna see out the win confidently
LASK made another substitution in the 74th minute but struggled to find attacking solutions afterward. Vienna looked composed and in control, while the visitors increasingly relied on long balls.
In the 76th minute, Pfanner had another chance with a volley but was once again denied by the impressive LASK goalkeeper.
The final chance of the game nevertheless fell to the visitors in stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, LASK broke through for one last effort, but Grabenhofer produced an excellent save to secure Vienna’s home victory.
First Vienna FC 1894 vs. LASK 3–2 (0–1)
ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga, Round 22
Saturday, 16 May, 2:00 PM
Naturarena Hohe Warte, 216 spectators
Goals: 0–1 Vrselja (40’),1–1 Kovar (51’), 1–2 Švíbková (52’ pen.), 2–2 Kerschbaumer (61’), 3–2 Havel (71’)
Vienna: Grabenhofer, Osl (46’ Fankhauser), Wasser (55’ Havel), Lueger, Kerschbaumer, Kovar, Pfanner, Seidl, Laaksonen (46’ Sarac), Pötzl, Gebert
