DFB-Pokal

1-0 in Zwickau! HSV reach round 2 of the DFB Cup

The path to round 2 came by way of a goal by Croatian debutant Halilovic, who scored the only goal of the game seven minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.

HSV are in round 2 of the 2016/17 DFB Cup. The Rothosen beat FSV Zwickau 1-0 away from home on Monday night (22.08.16). The man of the hour in front of a capacity crowd (10.134) inside the Zwickau-Stadion was new signing Alen Halilovic, who scored the solitary goal on 70 minutes –just seven minutes after being brought on to replace Nicolai Müller. Despite being the better team for the majority of the game, the Bundesliga visitors lacked scoring prowess, squandering several good scoring opportunities against a brave division three home side.

Gotoku Sakai battles for possession with an opponent. — The Rothosen created several first half chances, the best of which fell to Gotoku Sakai on the stroke of halftime.

Good Chances – without reward

At the brand new Zwickau Stadion visiting coach Bruno Labbadia kept faith with the team which started his side’s last friendly game. That meant that veteran defensive stalwart Emir Spahic who had recovered in record time from a fractured eye socket which forced him to wear a protective mask was on the bench at first. His place alongside Djourou in central defence went to Cleber. Missing injured duo Ekdal and Holtby were replaced by Hunt and Jung in front of the back four while USA goal getter Wood got the nod ahead of Lasogga up front.

The visitors got stuck in from the off, with Müller firing the first warning shot during the opening minutes of the game. The effort however failed to trouble home keeper Brinkies. The top flight side controlled the game with plenty of possession and patience. Zwickau had three players booked during the opening 23 minutes. Wood (14.), Müller (31.) and Sakai (45.) all missed good chances to break the deadlock and on 36 minutes Zwickau’s tried to head a HSV corner clear but could only strike his own post. Brinkies was called into action to deny Gregoritsch, who let fly from outside the box as the home side failed to clear their lines properly. Despite a dominant first half performance the game was goalless at the break.

Alen Halilovic advances with the ball at his feet. — He came, dribbled and scored! Alen Halilovic was the match winner in Zwickau.

Halilovic needed only seven minutes

Whereas the home side were only able to “threaten” Adler’s goal through set pieces before the break, they vastly improved at the start of the second half, without it must be said being able to create any further chances at first. Not so the Rothosen, who missed further good chances to take the lead through Müller (62.) and Wood (65.). The deadlock was finally broken by substitute Alen Halilovic, who replaced Müller on 63 minutes. Seven minutes later the Croatian won possession in midfield with the help of young, before dribbling his way to the edge of the Zwickau box from where he curled a wonderful effort into the net via the inside of the left hand upright (70.). A dream strike if there ever was one! That goal came at the perfect time because the home side had begun to threaten from set pieces.

Adler up to the task

The Rothosen squandered further chances to put the game to bed after taking the lead. New signing Wood looked on in despair as his curled effort came back off a post. The rebound reached Gregoritsch, but home keeper Brinkies was on hand to avert the danger (75.). Gregoritsch (78.) and Halilovic (86.) missed further chances to make it 2-0, so the game was on a knife-edge until the final whistle. The best chance the home side created came on 80 minutes as Hamburg stopper Adler did well to stop a point blank header by Wachsmuth from crossing his line. In the end the visitors won 1-0 and lived to fight another day. The draw for round 2 will take place live on German TV on Friday after the start of the new Bundesliga season. Pulling the balls out of the hat will be Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

Match details:

FSV Zwickau: Brinkies - P. Göbel, Sorge, Gebers, Miatke - Wachsmuth, Lange - Bär, C. Göbel (78. Zimmermann) - Frick (61. Schlicht), Nietfeld (69. König)

HSV: Adler - Sakai, Cleber, Djourou, Ostrzolek - Jung, Hunt - N. Müller (63. Halilovic), Gregoritsch (83. Lasogga), Kostic - Wood

Goals: 0:1 Halilovic (70.)

Att: 10.134 (sold out)

Referee: Robert Kempter (Sauldorf)

Booked: Wachsmuth (5.), Gebers (9.), Miatke (23.) / N. Müller (58.)