Parndorf and Wolfsberger played out a 2:2 draw after extra time before Parndorf won 5:4 on penalties in the Round of 32 of the Austrian Cup on Saturday. The result sends Parndorf through while Wolfsberger's campaign comes to an end, despite the visitors carrying more possession and creating more attacks throughout the ninety minutes.
Parndorf took the lead in the 79th minute when M. Pink found the net, but Wolfsberger responded almost immediately. F. Szabo equalised in the 90+1st minute to send the match into extra time, and neither side could break the deadlock in regular play despite both sides getting chances.
Extra time brought its own drama. L. Hassler gave Parndorf the lead again in the 97th minute, only for F. Ziniel to restore parity in the 108th minute. The match then went to penalties, a format where cup football has its own rules and the pressure tells on the nerves. Parndorf took penalties first, with M. Sulzner, L. Hassler, A. Schwarz, P. Verhounig and M. Schabauer all converting. But Wolfsberger missed two, with F. Wohlmuth and R. Bucur failing to score, leaving them needing to match every kick from that point forward.
Wolfsberger converted four of their five penalties—F. Szabo, M. Rigo, D. Dornhackl and T. Schmelzer all scored—but D. Schmidt missed for Parndorf, meaning Parndorf had already secured victory when Schmidt's attempt was saved. The goalkeeper kept knocking on the door all evening but could not find the opening he needed.
Parndorf finished with five yellow cards and no reds, while Wolfsberger were reduced to ten men and picked up two yellows plus a red card. The visitors dominated possession at 52 per cent and registered 149 attacks compared to Parndorf's 116, but shots on target told a different story. Parndorf hit the target seven times to Wolfsberger's five, and those extra chances proved decisive when it mattered.