Hartberg fights back to claim 2:2 draw against LASK – Radulovic enjoys dream debut

Christoph Lang also got his name on the scoresheet. Florian Flecker put in a combative display in midfield and, via Sascha Horváth, set up the move that led to the 1:1. Lang took matters into his own hands from the edge of the box and fired a shot into the bottom left corner in the 30th minute – a goal that kept the match finely poised going into the break.

Radulovic and Lang on target for Hartberg

The second half developed into an open exchange of blows with chances at both ends. LASK converted one of their opportunities to retake the lead, but Hartberg struck back: After play was worked down the wing, the ball once again found its way into the Linz penalty area, and Radulovic finished to make it 2:2.

The late equaliser amounted to a point gained, which Hartberg managed to see out in the closing stages. The defence, marshalled by the experienced centre-back, held firm in the crucial minutes, and LASK's attackers rarely found themselves in dangerous scoring positions.

For LASK, the result represents a slight setback in the battle for the upper echelons of the table, even though the team produced the more mature football over long stretches of the match. Coach Markus Schopp praised above all the character of his team after the final whistle, noting that they had not given up despite falling behind.

Impact on the table

Even before kick-off, Hartberg had caused a stir with the signing of Radulovic. The attacker, most recently under contract with Rapid Vienna, is expected to further boost the offensive firepower of the eastern Styrians. That the new signing would find the net on his debut of all occasions was not necessarily something Schopp had expected either.

In the table, Hartberg remain in secure mid-table after this draw, while LASK do not lose all ground on the leaders. The next round of the Austrian Bundesliga awaits both teams next weekend with different challenges.

In the end, the result was a fair reflection for both sides: LASK take a point away from home, Hartberg celebrate a successful debut for their new striker – and the spectators in the arena saw a match that, despite two deficits, never lost its sense of drama.