HSV start new year with merited victory over Regensburg

Kinsombi stars in entertaining first half

Daniel Thioune made three changes to the team that had defeated Karlsruhe less than two weeks earlier, Sonny Kittel, Tim Leibold and Stephan Ambrosius returning to the starting line-up. After a bright start from the guests, Hamburg turned the screw, the foundations built on accurate build-up play from the back which drew Regensburg out of their defensive shape. A goal-kick from Sven Ulreich was played out deftly, resulting in a 2-on-1 situation down the left-hand side, Bakery Jatta choosing to cut inside and pull out an excellent save from former HSV stopper Alexander Meyer. The attack was kept alive and the ball recycled by the hosts, Jeremy Dudziak chipping sumptuously into the path of Tim Leibold advancing to the byline, who found David Kinsombi all alone eight yards out, the 25-year-old poking in for his first goal of the season in the 21st minute.

The measured play out from the back by HSV had set the opening half an hour apart from previous displays this season but was the hosts' undoing in the 33rd minute for the Bavarians' equaliser. Sven Ulreich played the ball straight to Jan Niklas Beste and the home defence never really recovered, the ball eventually finding its way to Max Besuschkow at the far post who hammered home from eight yards out. The Rothosen were unfazed and got straight back to work, retaking the lead six minutes before the half. It was Bakery Jatta down the left who was causing Regensburg problems again, his fierce ball across the face of goal unable to be held by Meyer, David Kinsombi profiting from the 'keeper's spill and playing to Simon Terodde, who chipped over the final defender on the line from all of six yards out. The half-time lead was no less than HSV deserved, but, not for the first time this season, had let their opponents back into the game with an avoidable mistake.