At the Innviertel Arena, Ried’s timely finishing and defensive discipline proved decisive as they overcame WSG Wattens 2-0, notching a crucial home win to climb the Austrian Bundesliga table and snapping a recent hex against their opponents.

A lively opening set the stage, with Ried’s front three pressing high and testing Wattens’ defensive line from the outset. The breakthrough arrived amid early pressure: in the 15th minute, Mark Große coolly dispatched a penalty after Wattens were penalized for a handball in the area. Große’s precise finish gave Ried the lead and settled early nerves in the stands.

Wattens, previously unbeaten against Ried in their last six meetings, struggled to respond. Possession remained nearly even through the first half, but it was Ried who created the more dangerous openings. Kingstone Mutandwa and Antonio Van Wyk repeatedly found space between the lines, with the home side racking up 20 shots (six on target) compared to Wattens’ meager four. Yet, despite their dominance, Ried were nearly pegged back just before halftime; a swift Wattens counter ended in a goal for Van Wyk, only for the linesman’s flag to deny them for offside in first-half stoppage time.

The second half brought more physicality, as a spate of yellow cards—seven in total, including four for Wattens—underscored the visitors’ mounting frustration and struggle to contain Ried’s midfield energy. Substitutions from both managers injected fresh legs, but it was Ried who maintained the initiative.

The defining moment came in the 80th minute, when Große turned provider. Breaking quickly after regaining possession, he threaded a perfect through ball for Van Wyk, who made no mistake with a cool finish beyond Stejskal to double Ried’s advantage. From there, Ried managed the closing stages with composure, blunting any hopes of a Wattens revival and seeing out a deserved clean sheet behind goalkeeper Andreas Leitner.

Statistically, the story tells itself: Ried finished with 52% possession and nine corners, illustrating their territorial control, while Wattens managed just a single corner and failed to register a shot on target. The outcome was a testament to Ried’s attacking intent and defensive organization, a marked contrast to previous meetings dominated by Wattens.

With this win, coach Maximilian Senft’s side climbs to seventh, reinvigorated in their campaign. Meanwhile, Wattens are left to reflect on a listless display, their streak over Ried emphatically snapped. As the Bundesliga season gathers pace, the Innviertel Arena faithful will hope this performance marks a turning point.

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