The match held on August 18, 2023, in the 2. Liga between Grazer AK and SK Sturm Graz II was a close tussle that concluded with a narrow win for the home side. Grazer AK pulled off a 1-0 victory, thanks in large part to the solitary goal scored in the first half at 44 minutes and 31 seconds.

The first half saw SK Sturm Graz II accumulating two yellow cards at 24 minutes and 28 seconds and 11 minutes and 21 seconds, indicating they were under pressure from early on. This tendency to be overaggressive in their tackles continued into the second half, as they picked up another two yellow cards. Grazer AK didn't hold back either and was booked twice in the second half, at 50 minutes and 3 seconds and 55 minutes and 23 seconds.

Perhaps, one of the most significant factors contributing to the result revolved around the use of set pieces. Grazer AK enjoyed a sizeable advantage in corner kicks compared to SK Sturm Graz II, racking up 14 kick-ins compared to their opponents' 7. It demonstrated Grazer AK's assertive attacking play and control over the game, leading to more chances being created and placed on goal.

However, both teams displayed discipline when it came to offside, with only a single infraction by Grazer AK. Fouling behavior seemed to differ subtly between the teams, as Grazer AK committed fewer fouls (4) versus SK Sturm Graz II's 6 times fouling the opponents.

One rather significant statistic though was the number of red cards distributed by the referee. Despite their more aggressive play turning into fouls, SK Sturm Graz II kept all of their players on the field whilst Grazer AK were reduced to ten men at the end.

In conclusion, the key difference between the two sides that influenced the result appears to be Grazer AK's superior utilization of set-pieces, given their corner kicks dominance. In spite of being a man down due to the red card, they were able to hold off the opposition to secure a 1-0 victory. That said, the high volume of yellow cards received by both teams suggest both sides need to work on their discipline and ensure their aggression doesn't turn counterproductive in future games.

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