© Wikipedia
14. 05. 12. - 12:16
Red Bull Salzburg are the champions
Red Bull Salzburg secured the Austrian Bundesliga title today (Sunday) after travelling away to secure a 5-1 (2:1) victory over Wiener Neustadt in front of a capacity 2,100 fans in the Hanappi-Stadium.
One round before the season end Salzburg delivered a masterful result against SC Wiener Neustadt giving the Austrian championship favourites their fourth title in the Red Bull era - following on from victories in 2007, 2009 and 2010 – and extending the dominance they have enjoyed since being taken over by the Red Bull energy drinks manufacturer.
Red Bull took over the club in 2005, invested heavily in foreign players and at one point brought in former Italy coach Giovanni Trappatoni to lead the side.
In the Cup Final in the coming Sunday against Ried they are now hoping for a double.
The Bulls needed only one point going into the match against Wiener Neustadt and after a penalty kick from Stefan Maierhofer (7.) they started in the right direction for the win, keeping six points clear of Rapid Vienna who won 2-0 at relegated Kapfenberg.
Wiener Neuerstadt captain Andreas Schicker was sent off for a foul in the sixth minute after giving away a penalty but David Mendes da Silva fired his effort over the crossbar for Salzburg.
It did not matter as two goals in seven minutes from former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Stefan Maierhofer put Salzburg in command.
Matthias Lindner pulled one back just before the half hour but Brazilian Cristiano Da Silva restored Salzburg's two-goal advantage early in the second half and former Espanyol forward Jonathan Soriano added two more in the last five minutes.
Despite their domestic success, Salzburg have never qualified for the Champions League group stage under Red Bull's leadership.
They will enter the competition next season in the second qualifying round.
Salzburg have won seven league titles overall while Rapid Vienna hold the record with thirty-two.
Goals:
Lindner (30.) Maierhofer (12., 17.), Cristiano (49.), Soriano (85., 90.)
Red Card: Schicker (6./Wr. Neustadt)
