SANKT PÖLTEN, Austria (Interstat) — Host SKN St. Pölten and FC Liefering opened their 2. Liga seasons with a scoreless draw Sunday at NV Arena.

The match defied pregame projections from Interstat, which gave St. Pölten an 85.5% probability to win and simulated a 2-1 victory for the visitors. Instead, both defenses held firm in a physical contest that produced five yellow cards.

Liefering’s Phillip Verhounig received the first booking in the 29th minute. He was followed by teammates Mayker Palacios and Marc Stendera. St. Pölten’s Dirk Carlson and Aboubacar Sidiki Camara were also cautioned.

The result leaves both clubs with identical records of 0-0-1 in league play to start the 2026 campaign.