Match report

HSV knocked out of DFB-Pokal on penalties

HSV are out of the DFB-Pokal after conceding last-minute equalisers in both regular and extra time against Hertha BSC before suffering defeat in the penalty shootout.

On Wednesday evening (6th December), Hamburger SV suffered a tough defeat in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal. In front of almost 60,000 fans at the Olympiastadion, HSV’s cup run came to an end on penalties after a 3-3 draw against Hertha BSC. The two sides were tied 2-2 at the end of regular time and after a goal apiece in extra time, the Rothosen were the unlucky ones in the penalty shootout.

Sebastian Schonlau returned to the starting XI in Berlin and put in a decent performance.

A back-and-forth start...

Tim Walter made seven changes to the side that were in action in the Hamburg derby last weekend. Nemeth replaced Glatzel in attack, with Jatta and Öztunali named on the wing. Mikelbrencis came into defence alongside a central partnership of Schonlau and Hadzikadunic in front of goalkeeper Raab. After 21 minutes, the hosts were ahead when Reese slipped a rebound from his own shot into an open net after a collision between Raab and Tabakovic. Until the goal, it had been a decent start for the Rothosen with both sides solid in defence.

HSV found a relatively quick reply to falling behind and Pherai had the equaliser in the 31st minute. His low drive from the edge of the area found the back of the net via the inside of the post. Hamburg were the better side after levelling the game and had their reward just before half time. Pherai’s cross-field ball found Öztunali, who set up Benes to tap it over the line from close range to make it 2-1. Despite watching their team fall behind first, the 20,000 traveling HSV fans could be happy going into the break with a one-goal advantage over the hosts..

Matheo Raab was called into action on multiple occasions and was a reliable last line of defence, but was unlucky in the shootout.

... before a tough ending

After the break, Hamburg remained the more dangerous side. Benes troubled the home side twice early on, including with one effort that struck the woodwork. At the other end, Tabakovic and Reese forced Raab into some good saves on the hour mark. Despite some good work to hold on to the lead, the hosts never gave in and with in added time of regular play, the scores were level again. It was Reese again for the capital side, leaving Raab with no chance with a powerful shot. After being just minutes away from the next round, HSV were forced into another half an hour of football.

In extra time, HSV regained the lead for a second time when Königsdörffer turned home a pass from Glatzel in the 102nd minute. However, Hertha levelled the game once more, again in the final minute of play through Kenny’s 120th-minute strike. As a result, the tie headed to a penalty shootout and Königsdörffer did not have luck on his side, being the only player to miss their spot kick as HSV succumbed to a 5-3 shootout defeat.

Match facts:

Hertha BSC: Ernst - Kenny, Gechter (23' Leistner), M. Dardai, Karbownik - Klemens, Zeefuik (61' Hussein), Scherhant (46' Christensen), Niederlechner (80' El-Jindaoui), Reese - Tabakovic (61' Prevljak)

Hamburger SV: Raab - Mikelbrencis (98' Oliveira), Hadzikadunic, Schonlau (61' Ramos), Muheim - Meffert, Pherai (98' Krahn), Benes - Jatta (72' Königsdörffer), Nemeth (72' Glatzel), Öztunali

Goals: 1-0 Reese (21'), 1-1 Pherai (31'), 1-2 Benes (43'), 2-2 Reese (90'), 2-3 Königsdörffer (102'), 3-3 Kenny (120')

Penalties: Prevljak scored, Benes scored, Klement scored, Muheim scored, El-Jindaoui scored, Glatzel scored, Kenny scored, Königsdörffer missed, Reese scored (5-3)

Attendance: 58,496

Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)

Yellow cards: Karbownik, Scherhant, Niederlechner / Pherai, Jatta, Meffert, Glatzel

Red cards: -