Hinterseer seals hard-earned point in Sandhausen

Another set piece the undoing after positive first half

After two disappointing losses in a row, Dieter Hecking reacted by making three changes to the starting line-up. Adrian Fein, Rick van Drongelen and Sonny Kittel took their places on the bench, as Ewerton made his first start for the Rothosen, with Gideon Jung moving into midfield and Lukas Hinterseer returning up front after fully recovering from his thigh injury which had seen him sit out for the past month. Sandhausen's good recent form and Hamburg's eagerness to get back to winning ways after two damaging defeats meant an open and entertaining start to the game. The new centre-back pairing of Timo Letschert and Ewerton unsurprisingly needed time to bed in, with Sandhausen having a number of dangerous crosses in the opening exchanges, yet unable to turn the chances into efforts on Danie Heuer Fernandes' goal. The Rothosen grew into the game, and around the half-hour mark had a host of chances which could have led to the breakthrough. Martin Harnik headed an accurate Tim Leibold cross into Sandhausen 'keeper Martin Fraisl, before Jeremy Dudziak wriggled free from his man to send a powerful left-footed effort just past the right-hand post. 
Despite Sandhausen sitting deep similarly to Heidenheim the previous Friday, the Rothosen made a better fist of breaking down their opponents, with incisive passing and movement leading to a 10-minute-long period of pressure for the away side. In a similar story to previous away outings, it was merely the finish that was lacking, with Dieter Hecking's charges either wanting too long to get their shot away or getting in each other's path when trying to test Fraisl. Martin Harnik had an effort cleared off the line by Linsmayer before Sandhausen made the breakthrough with their first effort on goal. It was once again a set piece that was the undoing of the Rothosen as Paqarada's corner from the left-hand side found Zhirov unmarked ten yards out, and the defender powered a header past Daniel Heuer Fernandes to give his employers the lead six minutes from the half. A familiar story for the away side, with a strong performance undone by lax finishing and inattentiveness at a set piece.