Dundee United deliver good night in Vienna as Rapid response sets up Tannadice cracker

Daily Record

14 hours ago

Jim Goodwin's men twice responded to going behind to pick up a 2-2 draw with a spot in the play-offs on the line next week
Dundee United produced another big European performance against Rapid.
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Jim Goodwin's side went to the Allianz Stadium and came away with a morale-boosting 2-2 draw.
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Max Watters cancelled out Petter Dahl's opener and then Zac Sapsford, late on, repeated the trick after captain Matthias Seidl had put them back in front.
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It means it is all to play for going into the Conference League third round qualifier at Tannadice next week, with the winners to take on the victors between AIK Stockholm and ETO Gyor, with the Swedes holding a 2-1 lead from their home clash.
United had famously taken out Rapid in the 1984 European Cup.
They had lost 2-1 in Vienna but then beat them at home thanks to a Davie Dodds' goal that put them through on away goals to the European Cup semi-finals.
Goodwin went on better and got a result away and is now looking to push through home advantage.
The Dundee United support brought a nice touch of Tangerine to Vienna. Over 1,000 fans had made the most of their trip to the Austrian capital and all its pleasures. It was a night they won't forget.
The older generation may have been brought up on it but for the younger ones it is a new experience.
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Goodwin admitted he almost signed for Rapid Vienna as a player. He was invited across under Lothar Mattheus but the German boss was sacked soon after and he missed out on his Austrian move.
The Irishman finally had to make do with a managerial bow in the Allianz Stadium and he more than made his mark.
It proved to be a good night in Vienna for everyone connected with United. Now they will be hoping it can be, quite literally, Goodnight Vienna next week.
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More pain for United and Pappoe
Goodwin and his squad were already down to the bare bones. He confirmed before the game that Kristijan Trapanovski and Ryan Strain had both joined captain Ross Graham on he long-term injury list. That was on the back of Amar Fatah and Dario Namoo who weren't fit enough for this game.
The last thing they needed was another injury, but that is exactly what they got in the 14th minute. Isaac Pappoe won a tackle in a challenge with Romeo Amane but it came at a cost. He was left grounded and the physios immediately called for a stretcher. The Ghanian's night was over and how long will he be out for? Ivan Dolcek replaced him.
A Rapid response
Dundee United started the game really well and the 5-3-2 formation was nullifying Rapid. The home side got into good areas but were met with some resilient and disciplined defending. Pappoe's injury, however, forced United to change shape. Goodwin went to a 4-5-1.
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It almost brought instant joy when Dolcek skinned a defender and put in a low cross that Rapid managed to scramble clear. United were coming into the game when they were undone in the 29th minute. Bendeguz Bolla put in a low cross and Petter Dahl managed to get away from his maker to knock into the net from close range.
United turn it up to the Max
It began to look a bit precarious for United until Zac Sapsford produced some individual magic. He furrowed up the left, beat Romeo Amane, snaked into the box and put the perfect low ball across the six yard box for Watters to put low under Niklas Hedl in the 33rd minute. It sent the travelling support into delirium, as Goodwin and his backroom team quite rightly gave each other high fives. It also stunned the home support into the bargain.
A big blow before the break
Goodwin would have been looking for his team to weather the storm, get to the interval and then he could rearrange them. Rapid had other ideas and they scored their second two minutes before the break. Bolla again caused the damage up the right. His cross was cleared by Vicko Sevelj, who blocked out Dahl but it fell to Seidl and he fired in into the United net. The visitors then had to withstand another five minutes of pressure before they got back inside.
Super Sapsford
It looked like United would be happy to get away with a narrow defeat but Goodwin and his players had other ideas. Sapsford had run himself into the ground. The Australian also got his just rewards. Stirton found Dolcek and he found the run of the striker who managed to hook it low and brilliantly past the keeper and into the net. He ran to the United fans who couldn't believe their eyes.
Sub Louis Schaub had the ball in the net in stoppage time but luckily it was chopped off for offside and United were able to see it out. The United players fell to their knees at the final whistle. There was frustration from Rapid coach Peter Stoger and the home fans who reacted with boos. He then took his team into a huddle before Goodwin and his heroes went to salute their fans. This tie is very much in the melting pot with everything to play for.