Match report
04.12.16
First win! HSV win 2-0 in Darmstadt
The number 13 turned out to be lucky for the Rothosen as they finally won for the first time this season by way of a 2-0 win at Darmstadt 98 on matchday 13. The Hamburg scorers were Michael Gregoritsch and Matthias Ostrzolek.
On Sunday (01.12) HSV finally took maximum points from a Bundesliga clash for the first time in the season as they deservedly won 2-0 at fellow-strugglers Darmstadt 98. Michael Gregoritsch broke the deadlock following excellent approach play involving Filip Kostic (30.). In the driving seat the visitors to the sold out Böllenfalltor stadium and never looked back, producing a tight defensive display which rarely allowed the home side a sniff of goal. Once again the Rothosen failed to convert the chances created to put the game to bed early. That finally happened in the final minute as the home side were caught in possession going forward and HSV capitalised by scoring the second goal through Matthias Ostrzolek with the help of his skipper Go Sakai – what a time to score your first ever goal for HSV!
Gregoritsch breaks the deadlock...
For the third time in succession, HSV coach Markus Gisdol was able to pick exactly the same team which had drawn the two previous games, now it was hoped that they could go one better. In an effort to do so the Rothosen took the early initiative and accepted the challenge posed by the home side. As expected the game between two of the lowest teams in the German top flight was short of skill but certainly not effort. Most of the good work was being done by Gisdol’s men going forward especially when Kostic was involved.
The Serbia-born left winger was unplayable at times as he wreaked havoc down that side of the pitch. He set up the first two scoring chances for Holtby and Gregoritsch before the visitors were third time lucks with Gregoritsch powering home a wonderfulö diving header from only five metres out. HSV were also tougher in the tackle and deserved to lead 1-1 at the break after Nicolai Müller missed a great chance on the strike of half time.
... and Ostrzolek puts the game to bed!
Darmstadt emerged for the second half in determined mood fighting for everything tooth and nail early on. The Rothosen defence was in miserly mood however and stood up to the pressure and looked dangerous on several promising breaks as the home side threw caution to the wind as they desperately searched for an equaliser and a way back into the game.
Bobby Wood in particular was a menacing presence after being brought on for his return from suspension. The USA striker had a few decent scoring chances and was always a handful to deal with. He was simply out of luck in front of goal. So the game remained on a knife-edge until the very last minute during which the killer goal finally fell to HSV as Ostrzolek wildly celebrated scoring his first HSV goal in 132 appearances to secure his side’s very first league win of the season. The Rothosen are in action again next Saturday (10.12.17, 3.30 PM) as FC Augsburg visit the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on matchday 14.
Match details:
Darmstadt 98: Esser - Jungwirth, Milosevic, Sulu, Guwara - Niemeyer (81. Stroh-Engel), Vrancic - Sirigu, Kleinheisler (74. Rosenthal), Heller - Colak (61. Bezjak)
HSV: Mathenia- Diekmeier, Djourou, Jung, Santos - Sakai, Ostrzolek - Müller (89. Hunt), Holtby, Kostic (84. Ekdal) - Gregoritsch (73. Wood)
Goals: 0:1 Gregoritsch (30.), 0:2 Ostrzolek (90.)
Att: 17.000 (sold out)
Referee: Guido Winkmann (Kerken)
Booked: Sulu (39.), Rosenthal (88.) / Djourou (43.), Müller (59.), Ostrzolek (83.)