The Pongau team celebrated a 5-2 win against Grünau at the start of the upper play-off on Friday and are now second in the table ahead of the Walsers.
The two Salzburg west division clubs Bischofshofen and Saalfelden travel to Vorarlberg on Saturday. Already on Friday, St. Johann celebrated an important victory in the fight for the remaining tickets for the Regionalliga West 2023/24.
Oberes Play-off: The fact that St. Johann definitely wants to be in the third division in the coming season was clearly evident in the home game against Grünau on Friday. The Walsers were the better team in terms of football, but the home side were clearly stronger physically and more effective in front of goal. “A pitch-black day,” said Grünau coach Bernhard Kletzl, whose team was 3-1 down after a weak first half.
In the second 45 minutes, the guests were able to make the duel more open, but Moussa Dembele and Co. missed too many chances for a possible comeback. In addition to the defeat, the Grünauers also have to deal with a bitter loss: Nikola Trkulja had to be substituted in the 68th minute with a knee injury. The mood in St. Johann is completely different. “A very good game. In this condition we can reach the Regionalliga West. But we still have a long way to go,” says coach Ernst Lottermoser, whose team moved up to second place in the table.
As a clear outsider, Seekirchen travels to leaders Austria Salzburg on Saturday. A look at the statistics should encourage the guests: The Seekirchners have only lost two of the last ten games against the Violettes. “With the right attitude, something is possible again this time,” emphasizes Seekirchen coach Mario Lapkalo, who has to do without Felix Eliasch (injured), Andreas Pär (suspended) and Lukas Hiermann (end of career).
Unteres Play-off: While the duel between Hallein and SAK had to be canceled on Friday due to the weather, Anif and Golling will meet on Saturday to kick off the lower play-offs.
West League: Two difficult away games are scheduled for the two Salzburg representatives on Saturday in the western league. Saalfelden has to travel to Bregenz, the favorite for the title, while Bischofshofen meets leaders Hohenems. “A difficult task. Hohenems has a lot of quality in the team. But if we get through the initial phase, then something is possible. We’re definitely not going to Vorarlberg for fun,” BSK coach Andreas Fötschl hopes for a surprise. A similarly difficult away match awaits Saalfelden. “It will be exciting to see how we can cope with the long journey and then we will have to deal with a very difficult opponent. But we are highly motivated and want to take something with us,” says Saalfelden coach Markus Fürstaller.