Challenge League
Thanks to the 1-0 win against Schaffhausen: Aarau moves away at the top of the table, Winterthur closes the gap
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Aarau wins the second to last game of the season in Schaffhausen and is three points ahead at the top of the table. The Aarauer are on the verge of promotion to the Super League.
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Schaffhausen lost against Aarau in front of a big crowd.
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Everything had come to a head at this moment. Schaffhausen received Aarau for the second to last game of the Challenge League. Before this match day, they shared the top of the table with the same number of points, closely followed by Winterthur, who are also hoping for promotion. Even before the game it was clear that the winner of this game next weekend has the opportunity to go directly to the Super League with a draw. The importance of this game was also reflected in the scenery: over 8000 people watched the game in the Wefox Arena.
The most dangerous offensive series in the Challenge League remained largely harmless against Aarau, also because Aarau goalie Simon Enzler, who returned after a short injury break, played a strong game. Schaffhausen maintained the ball a lot, but rarely became dangerous in front of the opposing goal. Instead, it was the Aargauers who took the lead in the 30th minute. Allen Nije dared the long-range shot, but it landed in the feet of Liridon Balaj. This failed because of goalkeeper Francesco Ruberto, whereupon Randy Schneider only had to push the rebound into the empty goal. Aarau played more calmly, let himself be put under less pressure and seemed calmer.
In the second 45 minutes, Munotstadt’s attacking efforts increased, but remained unfinished. Too little precision, too many passes in front of goal, too much creativity. The higher the number of minutes on the scoreboard, the more the home team pressed for an equalizer. Schaffhausen put Aarau under continuous fire, which the visiting team knew how to defend effectively and was rewarded with the three points.
Aarau has the best chances for advancement
With this complete success, the Aarauer take a huge step towards the Super League. Because they are now three points ahead of Winterthur and Schaffhausen, a draw against Vaduz in the last game of the season next Saturday will be enough to gain direct promotion.
Since Winterthur won 3-1 at home against Xamax in the parallel game, they overtook Schaffhausen in the table and are now tied for second place, but maintain the better goal difference.
In the last round Winterthur has to deal with the relegated Kriens, Schaffhausen is fighting away at Stade Lausanne-Ouchy for promotion or the Barrage place.
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