Narrow Defeat in La Manga: Ferencváros Falls to Rapid Wien
LA MANGA, SPAIN — Ferencváros TC continued their winter training camp in Southern Europe today, facing off against Austrian giants SK Rapid Wien. Despite a spirited performance and periods of clear dominance, the “Green Eagles” suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat, marking their second loss of the 2026 calendar year.
First-Half Dominance Left Unrewarded
The match began with Robbie Keane’s side showing high intensity and tactical discipline. For much of the first 45 minutes, Ferencváros was the superior team on the pitch, controlling the tempo and creating several high-quality scoring opportunities.
The focal point of the FTC attack was Lenny Joseph, whose pace and positioning caused constant headaches for the Rapid Wien backline. Joseph came close to breaking the deadlock on two distinct occasions, while the frustration for the Hungarian champions peaked when a powerful strike rattled the goalpost, keeping the scoreline level at the break.
The Turning Point
The missed opportunities of the first half proved costly in the 52nd minute. Against the run of play, Rapid Wien found their opening. Matthias Seidl capitalized on a momentary lapse in the FTC defense to slot home the match’s only goal.
Following the goal, FTC pushed for an equalizer, but the clinical edge required to dismantle the Austrian defense remained elusive. While the performance showed glimpses of the fluid, attacking football Robbie Keane has been implementing, the final scoreline left the traveling fans wanting more.
Looking Ahead
This result follows a 2-0 loss to Holstein Kiel earlier in the week, meaning Ferencváros is still searching for its first victory of 2026. While friendly matches are primarily about fitness and tactical experimentation, the coaching staff will undoubtedly be looking to address the team’s finishing before the competitive season resumes.
“We controlled the game for large periods today,” a club spokesperson noted. “The focus remains on building chemistry and ensuring the squad is at peak fitness for the challenges ahead in the OTP Bank Liga.”
