Dundee United rolled back the years with an outstanding European performance as they twice came from behind to record a well-earned draw against a dangerous Rapid Vienna side in the Austrian capital.
Australian striker Zac Sapsford scored one and set one up for strike partner Max Watters as Jim Goodwin’s men gave themselves more than a fighting chance of progression ahead of the return leg at Tannadice next week.
United had to withstand some heavy pressure throughout from a side who reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season, but Goodwin’s men battled bravely all the way to a frenetic finish that also saw the hosts have what looked like a late winner ruled out for offside.
Even with 49 wins in continental competition — more than any other Scottish side outwith the Old Firm and Aberdeen — few would have given the Tangerines any chance of emerging from Vienna with a positive result.
They travelled to Austria reeling from the news that Ryan Strain and Kristijan Trapanovski had joined captain Ross Graham in suffering hamstring injuries that will keep them out for several months.
And there was a further blow in the opening stages when on-loan Ferencvaros midfielder Isaac Pappoe was carried off on a stretcher following lengthy treatment for what looked like a knee injury.
Max Watters races away to celebrate after hauling United level in the first half
United stars revel in the moment after showing defiance in the face of first-half pressure
Matthias Seidl fires Rapid back in front early in the second half… but Sapsford had the final say
United were struggling to keep hold of the ball and conceded the opener from a simple right-wing cross in the 27th minute. Vicko Sevelj could not track Petter Dahl’s run from the left side of the box and the United defence failed to react as the Rapid wide man stroked the ball home from six yards.
However, the visitors were level six minutes later and it was Sapsford who was the hero again. The Australian — who scored the goal that secured a 1-0 home win over UNA Strassen in the previous round — showed directness, skill and strength to get to the by-line and then composure to cut the ball back into the path of Watters, who adjusted his feet to net his second goal for the club.
Home skipper Matthias Seidl dragged a shot wide under pressure following a Rapid corner but he made amends a minute before the break after United were again caught out from a delivery from the right, the ball breaking kindly for the midfielder to net from close range.
United kept at it, though, and Sapsford scored a brilliant equaliser in the 75th minute. United won the ball from the Rapid goalkeeper’s kick out, Owen Stirton kept it moving forward and Ivan Dolcek lobbed it into the path of Sapsford, who held off a defender and hooked the ball inside the far post from 16 yards.
United survived some sustained pressure with the help of Will Ferry’s block and Craig Sibbald’s penalty-box tackle before Louis Schaub saw his headed goal chalked off following an offside earlier in the move.
