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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Rivals fail to perturb Austria

/noticias.info/ FK Austria Wien continue to show the way in the Austrian Bundesliga after nine games and lead second-placed SV Pasching by three points, with reigning champions SK Rapid Wien a point further off the pace.

Linz in-form
Austrian international forward Roland Linz is the man of the moment, scoring twice in both Austria's 2-0 victory against SV Austria Salzburg and the national side's 3-2 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat by Poland. However, Peter Stöger's side have not enjoyed the best form of late with defeats by both of their closest title rivals by two-goal margins.

Signifcant successes
Austria surrendered a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 at Rapid in early August, before Pasching won at the Franz Horr stadium, courtesy of two own goals, later in the month. However, victories against Salzburg and SK Sturm Graz, plus a 2-2 draw at FC Wacker Tirol, helped them stay top, after their main rivals Rapid failed to seize the advantage. Rapid have not won since defeating Austria, collecting three draws and a defeat, and have consequently lost second place to Pasching, who have won their last four matches.

GAK gaining
Rapid also have fourth-placed Grazer AK breathing down their necks. They trail the UEFA Champions League entrants by a single point, after accumulating five points from three games before losing 1-0 at Pasching, while Sturm broke their five-game winless streak with victory against newcomers SV Ried and are a point further back in fifth.

Salzburg suffer
Despite being tipped for the title this season, Salzburg continue to struggle due, in no small part, to their away form. Kurt Jara's side achieved maximum points at home against Wacker and VfB Admira Wacker Mödling, but have collected just one point on the road this term and as a result languish in ninth position in the table - nine points off the summit. notas_de_prensa_archivo