Vienna Earn a Point Against the Champions
First Vienna FC 1894 fought to a 1-1 draw against Austria in Round 5 of the ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga. After a goalless first half, the Blue and Yellows fell behind shortly after the restart at the Hohe Warte. Despite increasing pressure from the reigning champions, Vienna kept the game alive and were rewarded in stoppage time when Karla Kurkutovic scored a much-celebrated equaliser.
Head coach Denny Krcmarek made two changes to the starting XI compared with the match against Sturm. Milanovic and Brunmair came into the starting line-up, while Sarac and Fankhauser initially took their places on the bench.
Honours Before the Derby
There was a special atmosphere at the Hohe Warte even before kick-off. Former Vienna players Valentina Pötzl and Patricia Pfanner were officially honoured and bid farewell to the club. There was also reason for celebration as Viktoria Hahn and Lena Mädl were recognised for reaching 100 competitive appearances in a Vienna shirt.
High Tempo from the Start
The match began at a high tempo. In the very first minute, Keckeis registered Vienna’s first effort, but her shot towards the near post was saved by the Austria goalkeeper.
The visitors subsequently took increasing control of the game and enjoyed more possession, while Vienna remained compact and repeatedly looked for ways to relieve the pressure. Clear-cut chances were initially hard to come by at either end.
The Woodwork Saves Vienna Twice
After 22 minutes, Austria created their first real opening. Pfanner found herself through on goal but sent her effort just wide.
The visitors increased the pressure towards the end of the first half. First, Jakobsen struck the crossbar with a long-range effort in the 31st minute. Just two minutes later, Schiechtl headed a corner against the post.
Vienna weathered the spell of pressure and held on to the goalless draw until half-time. The teams therefore went into the dressing rooms with the score 0-0.
Grabenhofer Keeps Vienna in the Game
The Blue and Yellows returned unchanged for the second half, while Austria brought on Pfattner for Weiss. The visitors now increased the pressure significantly.
In the 48th minute, Pfanner got a shot away following a corner, but Vienna goalkeeper Grabenhofer produced an excellent save. Just three minutes later, she was called into action again, tipping Glibo’s effort over the bar.
Vienna continued to defend with everything they had. In the 56th minute, following a lay-off from Pfanner, Gebert made a crucial clearance off the line.
A minute later, however, the visitors finally broke the deadlock. Following a misunderstanding in the Vienna defence, Uka took advantage of the situation to make it 0-1.
Austria remained the more dangerous side. In the 66th minute, a cross from Uka struck the crossbar. Shortly afterwards, Grabenhofer punched away another dangerous delivery before Pfanner sent the rebound wide.
Fresh Legs for the Attack
Krcmarek responded with changes, bringing on Fankhauser and Sarac in the 65th minute for Wasser and Milanovic. Shortly afterwards, Sergeeva and Batarilo were introduced for Keckeis and Brunmair, adding further fresh attacking options.
In the 75th minute, Vienna finally threatened the opposition goal again. Hahn tried her luck from distance, but her effort flew narrowly over the bar.
As the closing stages approached, however, Vienna found it increasingly difficult to gain control of the match. Their attacking play often lacked the necessary precision, while Austria pushed for a decisive second goal.
In the 85th minute, Höcherl came on for Hahn. Grabenhofer kept her side in the game once again with another excellent save from a powerful Sisic effort, before Uka fired narrowly wide.
Kurkutovic Strikes in Stoppage Time
Despite the difficult closing stages, Vienna refused to give up and were ultimately rewarded for their determination. Deep into stoppage time, the Blue and Yellows sent a long ball forward. Kurkutovic broke clear, kept her composure in front of the advancing Austria goalkeeper and delicately lifted the ball over her and into the net to make it 1-1!
The final whistle followed shortly afterwards. The Blue and Yellows had fought back to earn a late point against the reigning champions.
For large periods, Vienna had to put in a huge defensive effort, but they kept the match alive until the very end and were rewarded for their commitment, determination and fighting spirit with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
First Vienna FC 1894 vs. Austria Wien 1-1 (0-0)
ADMIRAL Women’s Bundesliga, Round 5
Saturday, 29 August, 5:30 p.m.
Naturarena Hohe Warte, 422 spectators
Goals: 0-1 Uka (57'), 1-1 Kurkutovic (90+2')
Vienna: Grabenhofer, Cavic, Wasser, Milanovic, Mädl, Havel, Brunmair, Hahn, Kurkutovic, Keckeis, Gebert
