Mzansi magic for Austrians in push for Europe

Austrian club SV Ried won a cliffhanger on Tuesday to continue their march towards European club competition next season as their two South African imports helped them in their progress.

Yusuf Maart and Antonio van Wyk were both in the starting lineup as Ried beat Wolfsberger 2-1 at home with a dramatic stoppage-time winner from their Zambian striker Kingstone Mutandwa.

Their playoff semifinal victory puts them into a two-legged final against Rapid Vienna on Friday and Monday, with the winner taking a berth in next season’s Europa Conference League.

Ried are at home on Friday and then away in the Austrian capital three days later for the second leg.

The provincial club last competed in European club competition in the 2011-12 Europa League.

Ried, who also have former Cape Town City DDC coach Moritz Kossman as their assistant coach, are in their first season back in the top flight in Austria, and ex-Kaizer Chiefs captain Maart and former Stellenbosch flyer Van Wyk have proven stalwarts of their campaign.

Maart has played in 31 league games this season, while Van Wyk has three goals in 30 appearances.

This is Van Wyk’s second season in Austria, while it is the first for Maart.