Austria Salzburg secures Cup quarter-final ticket against UFC Croatia

The PSV-Platz was Austria’s “new” home after the club was re-founded in 2006. There are already 18 years between the infamous “Schnitzelsemmel affair” and the march from the 2nd class north to the championship title in the Regionalliga West.

“This duel is something special for us, but I’m not going to get nostalgic now,” Austria chairman David Rettenbacher told SALZBURG24 before kick-off.

A rare city derby was played in front of around 820 fans against the newly founded club UFC Croatia in spring 2023. In the round of 16, the clear favorite needed a great effort and won 2-0 (1-0). Coach Christian Schaider rested pillars such as Marinko Sorda, goalkeeper Manuel Kalman and Co. before the top regional league duel against Reichenau (Saturday).

“Game of the Century” meets expectations

Schaider made no secret of the fact that the double, defending the West League title and winning the cup, is the goal for the season. But there is still a long way to go before that happens.

“For us, it was a game of the century. All our expectations were fulfilled. In terms of the result, we even did better than Kuchl at the weekend (0:3, ed.). Simply a cool game against a great opponent,” emphasised Croatia chairman Bozo Tadic.

Festival atmosphere at UFC Croatia

There is a festival atmosphere at the PSV square. Croatian and Austrian songs blared over the area. And of course there was a schnitzel sandwich, but the Croatian national dish “Cevapcici” was nowhere to be found.

How difficult the underdog can make it for the favorites in the cup is shown, among other things, by the three sensational victories against the higher-class clubs Anthering, Bergheim and HSV Wals.

Outsiders with first big chance, but Austria leads

In addition, captain Kristijan Jukic and co. sold themselves very dearly, especially in the first half. For the first time, things even got dangerous in the Austria penalty area when striker Daniel Ripic (11th) quickly broke through, but was stopped at the last moment.

When the first sharply kicked cross sailed through the box, the Violets took the lead: Tobias Moser (20th) converted a clearance attempt by goalkeeper Marinko Klijajic with a direct shot to take a 1-0 lead.

17-year-old Croatia striker attracts attention

The Croatians kept the duel open for a long time. Left-back Hrvoje Horvat (30 years old), who was of interest to regional league team Wals-Grünau and Salzburg league team ASV Salzburg, was particularly impressive. The lightning-fast 17-year-old striker Darrel Kipkoech also attracted attention with his speedy runs.

The second division club managed to limit the impact of Rene Zia and substitute Sorda until the 74th minute. But then the “joker” struck. The 28-year-old shot from outside the penalty area and increased the score to 2-0.

The western league teams St. Johann, Bischofshofen and FC Pinzgau Saalfelden are already in the quarter-finals. Bramberg and Straßwalchen have made it to the top from the Salzburg league. The regional league team Schwarzach is also in the mix.

We will send you the result of Adnet against Siezenheim later.

All duels in the Landescup round of 16

• Even – St. John 0:3 (0:0)
• Wals-Grünau – Bischofshofen 0:3 (0:2)
• Seekirchen – Bramberg 3:4 (2:3)
• Strasswalchen – ASV Salzburg 4:2 nE
• Pinzgau Saalfelden – Kuchl 2:0 (1:0)
• Schwarzach – Golling 8:7 nE
• Adnet – Siezenheim
• Croatia Salzburg – Austria Salzburg 0:2 (0:1)

Jug photo

St. Johann draws quarter-final ticket at Scherer family meeting

West league team St. Johann secured their first ticket to the quarter-finals of the regional cup on Wednesday evening. The clear favorite secured a 3-0 victory against underdog Eben.

(Source: SALZBURG24)