Match report

2-1 win against Hertha BSC after extended break in play

The game was delayed by more than 30 minutes in the second half following a fan protest. All three goals came after half time, with Miro Muheim (57’) and Ludovit Reis (82’) scoring for the Rothosen and Haris Tabaković (62’) netting for the hosts.

HSV picked up an important three away points on matchday 20. The Rothosen won on Saturday evening (3rd February) in front of 60,000 fans at the Olympiastadion. The game had one of the longest breaks in play in 2. Liga history. After a goalless first half, the game was delayed for more than 30 minutes in the 52nd minute after Hertha fans began throwing tennis balls onto the pitch. Both teams were even sent back to the dressing rooms by referee Daniel Schlager for a short period of time. After the break, the game developed in a true classic. Miro Muheim put HSV ahead in the 57th minute with a shot from distance, before Haris Tabaković equalised five minutes later (62’). Substitute Ludovit Reis scored the winner in the 82nd minute, helping HSV climbing back into second place in the table.

Andras Nemeth came into the starting eleven for Robert Glatzel and had the best two chances for HSV in the first half.

Woodwork to the rescue for both teams

Head coach Time Walter was forced to change his starting eleven from last week’s home game against Karlsruher SC (4-3 loss). Top-goalscorer Robert Glatzel (13 goals) was carrying a knock during the week and said before the game that he still didn’t feel 100% fit. Andras Nemeth came into the starting eleven in his place. Immanuel Pherai also came into the side in the place of Ludovit Reis, who made his first start after a long injury lay-off against KSC.

After a disappointing home defeat last weekend, the ‘Rothosen’ set out to get back to winning ways. Bakery Jatta tested Tjark Ernst in the Hertha goal for the first time around the minute-mark, but his effort was much too central. Hertha’s ‘keeper was then beaten twice in quick succession after 17 minutes, but the initial header from Nemeth following Pherai’s cross smashed into the crossbar, while Laszlo Benes’ follow-up was bundled off the line by Florian Niederlechner. This was the best chance for HSV in the first half. Despite dominating over 70% of possession and winning more than 60% of the duels as the game continued, HSV failed to create any further clear-cut chances.

As the half wore to a close, fortune favoured the brave and it was Hertha’s turn to hit the woodwork, with Haris Tabaković heading Niederlechner’s cross onto the post in the 42nd minute. With that the game could’ve turned on its head. After one final headed chance for Nemeth (45+4’), the game went into half time goalless.

The game was delayed for more than 30 minutes in the second half after tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch.

Muheim and Reis score after tennis ball break

The first shot of the second half also went HSV’s way, with Dompe shooting wide of the target from the top left-hand corner of the box (47’). Hertha responded with a header from Marten Winkler (53‘). This was the end of the football for a while, with a constant stream of tennis balls flying onto the field of play from Hertha Ostkurve in a protest against the DFL. Every time that it looked as if play was about to resume, more and more balls landed on the pitch resulting in play being delayed for over 20 minutes and referee Daniel Schlager eventually deciding to lead the players off the field of play and back into the dressing rooms. When play finally resumed the stadium clock was reset more than half-an-hour back to 52:30 minutes.

Neither team allowed the break to distract them, and in fact the opposite happened, with the game opening up. Miro Muheim put the Rothosen ahead only a few minutes after play resumed with a low shot from the edge of the box (57’). The ‘Old Lady’ found a reply five minutes later, with substitute Fabian Reese (came on for P. Dárdai in the 60th minute) heavily involved. His shot could only be parried out by Daniel Heuer Fernandes, with Tabaković in position to tap home the rebound (62’).

After this crazy restart both teams only had a few half-chances from crosses or shots from distance that just missed the target, but it remained an open game. Tim Walter then made his changes and demonstrated a magic touch. Substitute Ludovit Reis powerfully headed home after a brilliant, floated cross from Pherai to make it 2-1 (82’). In additional time, Heuer Fernandes claimed a ball well and Ramos made a crucial headed interception with the defence holding firm to get the three points over the line.

Match facts:

Hertha BSC: Ernst - Kenny, Leistner, Kempf, Karbownik - Bouchalakis, Barkok, P. Dardai (60' Reese), Niederlechner (70' Prevljak), Winkler (60' Scherhant) - Tabakovic

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Van der Brempt, Ramos, Ambrosius, Muheim - Meffert, Pherai, Benes (80' Reis) - Jatta (80' Königsdörffer), Nemeth (76' Glatzel), Dompe

Goals: 0-1 Muheim (57'), 1-1 Tabakovic (62'), 1-2 Reis (82')

Attendance: 60,000

Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)

Yellow cards: Kempf (40'), Bouchalakis (69'), Leistner (72'), Niederlechner (81') / Pherai (45+2'), Muheim (62')

Hertha BSC	Statistics	Hamburger SV
7	Shots	13
40%	Possession	43%
48%	Challenge-success rate	47%
77%	Passing accuracy	83%
4	Corners	2
12	Crosses	7
2	Offsides	2
21	Fouls	10

Tabakovic 4	Most shots	5 Benes
Kempf, Niedelechner 2	Most shot assists	5 Nemeth, Pherai
Kempf 68	Most touches	108 Ambrosius
Karbownik 67%	Best challenge-success rate	67% Ramos
Barkok 2	Most crosses	3 Dompe