Victory at the seventh attempt? Floodlight Friday in St. Johann
“Begin against St. Johann”, we headlined at the beginning of April at the start of spring in Maxglan. Now, six weeks later, this news is unfortunately still relevant.
We were so close to the opening win against TSV St. Johann, our spring season 2022 would have started so solidly – started. That’s how well we got in: Hödl scored a penalty goal after just a few minutes, while the opponent only woke up every day after more than an hour. When Yurttas thwarted our three-pointer in the 92nd minute, no one thought that we would chase this missed victory in vain until we meet again.
Hastened as a straggler
After sharing the points at the start, we continued to be in lockstep with St. Johann for a few more weeks. We had the messed up start in common with our upcoming opponent, who after three rounds only had that one goal from added time in Maxglan to show for themselves. Coach realist Ernst Lottermoser was probably right with his knowledge, so that a little more preparation on natural grass would have done his man good.
But at some point the gap opens and since then we have had the suboptimal shape curve exclusively. This was most turbulent in the past rounds: While Austria failed to score twice against Schwaz, St. Johann gave Admira Dornbirn nine stalls. After these recent victories, the Pongauer are now in second place in the table, although the flawless leader is probably uncatchable for them too.
The formula of prudence: 4 x 3 = 12
This completely inappropriate drifting apart of the seasons TSV vs. SVAS must now finally be counteracted in the middle of the speedway track. The performance in Schwaz was probably edifying in parts, and the list of failures due to findings and bans is also thinning. All things that make you optimistic, even in such difficult times. The troops do everything they can, sometimes someone puts on the mask to be able to be back quickly after a broken nose – yes, there is a crisis in the results, but there are no signs that this would depress morale.
In any case, nothing is stopping Christian Schaider from being confident at the moment, he constantly calculates in the SN: “I think I can probably score twelve points.” In plain language: That would be all victories in the four remaining games, after that in the previous teams six not a single jump, with only two meager points that are recorded. Mentally one would call this bill purpose-optimized, as a public statement it expresses the great trust in the team.
Goals like back then
So that in the end it doesn’t end up being eight words for the unpleasant resubmission in June, goals are finally needed. Only three goals so far, 0.5 per game, including one per penalty – after six games this daily balance becomes more meaningful, the goal drought is certainly not just fed by bad luck and coincidences. The returnees and everyone who now gets their chance must show that the great trust placed in them is justified. It will certainly not be an easy task to turn things around in the middle of this tough away marathon, which then leads on to Hohenems – against Pongauer who have gotten in shape, for whom the match on Friday, exactly the other way round, is the middle of their “home triple”.
Striker Joey Zottl cannot be there. After his knee injury in Schwaz, the season is unfortunately already over for him, he underwent surgery in Munich on Wednesday. For him, the focus is now on rehabilitation and preparation for the coming season.
We have an encouragement in advance of this game in picture and sound and above all in the form of the omnipresent memory of the last guest game in St. Johann: The 2-1 victory in October was the highlight of the regular season – a top game that held up what could be promised in advance.
Creating sustainable improvements: Zero emissions instead of goalless
In terms of mood, the demands of back then have not decreased a bit. The fan curve uses the optimal opportunity of free public transport, currently every Friday throughout the state, and is planning a joint train journey from Salzburg main station (meeting point 4:45 p.m., departure 5:08 p.m.) to St. Johann.
Nothing is given for free there, but after our hunger for victory has been building for so long, we will do everything together to finally get the purple Westliga Express on track from 7:30 p.m.
If you still don’t want to or can’t do without your car: The St. Johann stadium is located at Sportplatzweg 3, 5600 St. Johann. Parking spaces are available on site.