Brace from Ruud: Impressive HSV start with 2:1 win
Ruud van Nistelrooy named man of the match with two goals. HSV show great moral to fight back after Farfan's equaliser. Hamburg -HSV have begun the season with three points. The "Rothosen" beat last season's runners up Schalke 04 2-1 (0-0) on saturday (21.08.10) in front of 57,000 fans in the Imtech Arena. Hamburg were the better team in the first half but were unable to convert their many chances. Ruud van Nistelrooy was the man who put Armin Veh's side in the lead after the break (46.) after some good build up play from Eljero Elia. Farfan looked to have won Schalke a point in the 80th minute with his equaliser but Hamburg found the back of the net one more time, again van Nistelrooy in the 83rd minute, getting his brace and giving HSV a deserved 2-1 victory.
Hamburg came racing out of the blocks in the first half, as had been promised by the team in training. Joris Mathijsen had to receive treatment early on for a nasty cut to the head but bit his lip and battled on. His teammates also showed a great deal of spirit as they took the game to Shalke pinning them in their own half and creating problems for the Schalke defence. Jones was one of those players struggling to cope with Hamburg, as he almost out into the back of his own net. This was just one of many chances for HSV, Petric had one of the best with a venemous shot.
Van the man was also dangerous in the opening 45 minutes as he hit over from close distance and rattled the bar from a free kick. Schalke on the other hand were only really able to create one decent chance as Edu found himself one on one with Rost who pulled off a good save. 0-0 at half time was flattering for the guests who were happy to hear the whistle. The second half started in the same fashion as the first, with HSV the better of the two sides creating all the chances, this time with more conviction in front of goal as Elia bounded down the left wing and put in a good ball for van Nistelrooy to make it 1-0 to the home side. Wonderfully created, finished with ice cold precision, that is how football should be played! Schalke responded well after going behind and tried to create chances which in turn opened up space for Hamburg on the break and the perfect opportunity for Pitroipa to take advantage of his blistering pace. It looked as if "pit" had made it 2-0 as the Schalke defence struggled to keep him under control, but his goal was deemed offside by the referee's assistant.
Ruud strikes back
Pitroipa was unstoppable in this phase of the game, and when Schalke stopped him, it was only through fouls. One of them resulting in the yellow-red card for Höwedes meaning HSV played the final 30 minutes with a man advantage. However, as is normally the case in football, it only takes one chance to change a game and this is what Schalke did as they made it 1-1 through Farfan who guided the ball home from a set piece. This goal didn't knock HSV out of their stride though, only serving to make them more determined to win the match and this is what they did as van Nistelrooy scored an almost carbon copy version of his first goal. Zé Roberto this time providing the assist.
The late but deserved winning goal sent the fans in the Imtech Arena crazy allowing the fans and the team to enjoy the last few minutes accompanied by a fantastic atmosphere as their beloved Hamburg celebrated a perfect start to the new season.
Match details: Attendance: 57.000 (sold out) |
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