St. Pauls celebrates winning the national cup in the Drusus Stadium. © Andrea Giacomelli

St. Pauls cheers: changes decide the national cup

After winning the league cup in December, St. Pauls also won the national cup on Saturday evening. The changes at the start and during the second half by FC Pauls coach Alex Mayr were crucial in the 2-0 win over Oberliga relegated SSV Brixen. Both Thomas Mair and Jacopo Pecoraro scored for the Überetscher.

20 May 2023

From: chm/sn

The first notable offensive action took place in the 13th minute. Emanuele Bocchio played from the right to the middle, where Maximilian Schraffl replaced Dennis Nagler in the center on the penalty spot. However, the Brixner's shot was too weak and Antonio Tarantino in the AFC St. Pauls goal had no trouble defusing the shot. In the 18th minute, Marco Miuli tried a shot from 25 meters, but it clearly missed its target. After that, Brixen played almost exclusively until halftime.

The cathedral town team had few chances to score, despite their field superiority. Most likely after corners when Antonio Tarantino couldn't pluck the ball down. The Paulsners' best and only half-opportunity came a few moments before the half-time whistle when Dennis Recla headed a free kick from the right towards the Brixen goal.

The golden touch of Alex Mayr

At the beginning of the second half, Pauls coach Alex Mayr made two changes. With Thomas Mair and Simon Oberrauch he sent experience and offensive onto the field. In the 2th minute the changes almost paid off. Simon Oberrauch headed a free kick towards Brixen goalkeeper Philipp Insam, who had to stretch to direct the ball over the crossbar with his fingertips. After that, the game was even, although both teams played hard.

St. Pauls took the reins after the break. © Andrea Giacomelli

St. Pauls took the lead in the 69th minute. Thomas Mair headed a cross into the far corner in the penalty area to make it 1-0. In the 72nd minute there was the best chance for the Brixen team to equalize. Manuel Wachtler headed a long cross from the right side from Sven Kerschbaumer onto the goal from a tight angle. The ball went just past the second post and into the goal.

The decision for St. Pauls

In the 77th minute, a long cross from Philip Degasperi, which completely confused the Brixen defense team, made the preliminary decision. Jacopo Pecoraro recognized the situation, ran for the ball and pushed it into the now deserted goal to make it 2-0. In the 81st minute, Hofer Jakob, who was also a substitute, took the ball directly from 30 meters. His shot went just wide of the goal. Philipp Insam probably wouldn't have had any chance of defending himself.

The Paulsners celebrate their goals. © Andrea Giacomelli

In the 86th minute, Manuel Wachtler had the opportunity to score with a free kick from 28 meters, but the ball sailed clear over Antonio Tarantino's goal. After 5 minutes of added time, referee Di Paolo whistled off the game and the celebration in the Paulsner ranks began.

St. Pauls will play in Brixen on June 7th against the Tyrolean Cup winner (to be determined first) for the Tyrolean Supercup.

St. Pauls – SSV Brixen 2-0

AFC St Pauls: Tarantino, Schweigkofler, Ohnewein, Muka, Brunialti (from 51. Pecoraro), Rohrer, Tauferer (from 46. Mair), De Vito, Recla (from 73. Hofer), Giocondo (from 60. Philip Degasperi), Sammah (from 46 . Oberrauch)

SSV Brixen: Insam, Demetz, Huber, Schraffl (from 60th Consalvo), Kerschbaumer, Truzzi, Larcher Nagler, Bocchio (from 60th Wachtler), Miuli (from 76th Costalunga), Sanna

SR: Di Paolo (Merano)

Gates: 1:0 Mair (69th), 2:0 Pecoraro (77th)