Wolfsberger AC opened their new campaign with a emphatic 3-0 victory over Austria Vienna at home on Sunday afternoon. The hosts proved clinical in front of goal, capitalising on two penalties and a well-taken strike to secure all three points. Austria Vienna, sitting second from bottom, had no answer to the visitors' efficiency despite enjoying more possession.
G. Vrioni got things off to a flying start with a penalty in the eighteenth minute. By then Austria Vienna had a goal disallowed for offside — D. Avdijaj's effort ruled out in the twenty-first. N. Wimmer picked up a yellow card for the hosts in the thirty-first, but the visitors could not build on their territorial advantage.
The second half brought another moment of brilliance from Vrioni. He converted his second penalty in the sixty-third minute to put the game beyond doubt. A. Schwarz added a third in the forty-ninth, completing a comprehensive performance. Austria Vienna made several changes, bringing on F. Wustinger and J. Eggestein, but the damage was already done.
The statistics tell an interesting story. Austria Vienna held 53 per cent possession and made 424 passes compared to 389, yet their shots on target numbered just one. Wolfsberger were far more dangerous, creating four big chances while the visitors managed none. The shots accuracy figures — 0.63 versus 0.14 — said it all.
Wolfsberger move up to eighth place with eight points from six games, while Austria Vienna remain twelfth with three points. The gap between them widens further, and the visitors will need to respond quickly if they are to avoid trouble.