Friendly

HSV lose 3-2 to SK Rapid in first pre-season friendly

The Rothosen were beaten by Austrian side SK Rapid at the Allianz Stadion in Vienna, with all five goals coming before half time. New signings Martin Adeline and Kofi Amoako both made their HSV debuts.

Hamburger SV slipped to a 3-2 defeat away to SK Rapid on Saturday (18th July) in their first friendly of pre-season. Head coach Merlin Polzin was without Daniel Heuer Fernandes as a precaution following a hip problem, Albert Sambi Lokonga due to a stiff neck and Fabio Baldé because of a blister, while several youngsters were given opportunities both in the starting XI and from the bench. New arrivals Adeline and Amoako also made their first appearances for the club.

HSV were facing a Rapid side already at the end of their pre-season schedule, with this their final warm-up game before beginning their UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign next Thursday (23rd July). The hosts looked the sharper side early on and took the lead after just three minutes, Kara heading home a free-kick delivered from the right. Five minutes later, Remberg made a crucial last-ditch challenge in front of young goalkeeper Lahti to stop Rapid from doubling their advantage.

The Rothosen began to find their feet as the half wore on and drew level with their first real opening. Jatta sent in an inviting cross and Poulsen powered a header into the net in the 16th minute. HSV took the initiative from there. Adeline came close to marking his debut with a goal after being sent through by Grönbaek, only for Rapid goalkeeper Hedl to deny him. A minute later, Grönbaek did find the net, rounding off a slick counter-attack to put HSV 2-1 up (24’). Rapid then turned the game on its head with two rather fortunate goals in quick succession. Kara somehow found the net with his back from a corner before Auer’s miscued cross ended up going in off Lemke as he tried to clear on the line. That left Rapid 3-2 ahead at the break.

Polzin made five changes at half time, one of them handing Amoako (pictured) his debut in HSV’s new home shirt. After the open, end-to-end nature of the first half, the game settled down considerably after the restart, with the flow disrupted further by a host of substitutions on both sides. Clear-cut chances were scarce, although Philippe had HSV’s best opening when Omari played him through, only for Hedl to come out on top in the one-on-one just as he had against Adeline before the break (60’).

There was to be no way back for the Rothosen, who were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Austria’s record champions. The HSV squad will leave Vienna on Sunday (19th July) and travel via Innsbruck to Oberlängenfeld, where they will spend the next week at their training camp.

Match statistics:

SK Rapid Wien: Hedl – Auer (70’ Horn), Schöller (46’ Raux-Yao), Cvetković (75’ Gröller), Bolla (46’ Roka, 75’ F. Demir) – Schaub (46’ Amane), Bajlicz (46’ Seidl) – Wurmbrand (70’ Dahl), Adamsen (62’ Tilio), Demir (61’ Haidara) – Kara (62’ Gulliksen)

HSV: Lahti – Capaldo (46’ Nandja), Bissi-Mouelle (46’ Elfadli), Torunarigha (46’ Omari) – Jatta (46’ Sahiti), Pherai, Remberg (62’ Sedlatschek), Lemke (77’ Dompé) – Adeline (46’ Amoako), Grönbaek (62’ von Diczelski) – Poulsen (33’ Philippe)

Attendance: 14,541

Goals: 1-0 Kara (3’), 1-1 Poulsen (16’), 1-2 Grønbæk (24’), 2-2 Kara (35’), 3-2 Lemke (OG, 37’)

Yellow cards: – / Philippe