Friendly

HSV run out 6-3 winners in friendly against Groningen

Taking advantage of this month’s international break, Hamburger SV faced off against Dutch top-flight side FC Groningen on Wednesday afternoon (12th November). Thanks to goals from Emir Sahiti (2), Immanuel Pherai, Bakery Jatta, Ransford Königsdörffer and Gui Ramos, head coach Merlin Polzin’s team secured a convincing 6-3 victory on the day.

At the training pitch in the Volkspark, the Rothosen grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck from the very off, impressing with an obvious desire to play beautiful football. The first few chances came HSV’s way, with Bakery Jatta taking the first shot of the afternoon (8’), before Emir Sahiti found the net just a few minutes later with a stunning chip over goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside (12’). It wasn’t long after that disappointment, though, that Hamburger SV were rewarded for their strong start to the game, and with a couple of goals at that. Sahiti opened the scoring by tucking away the rebound from Immanuel Pherai’s shot (15’), before HSV’s number 10 fired home the Rothosen’s second with a shot from distance just 120 seconds later (17’). The hosts didn’t allow themselves to let up after the pair of early goals, though. The visitors started to create their own danger though, setting up a dangerous opportunity to halve the deficit. Oskar Zawada was unable to make the most of a golden chance from close range in front of U19 keeper Fernando Dickes (24’). Towards the end of the first half, Fabio Vieira was able to showcase his magical qualities with a series of pinpoint passes through the lines. Bakery Jatta was able to make the most of one of the chances created by the summer signing, extending HSV’s lead to three shortly before the break (43’).

HSV forward Emir Sahiti made his presence known with two goals against FC Groningen.

Goals galore in the second half

The second 45 kicked off with another flurry of goals. Just three minutes after switching sides, half-time substitute David van der Werff was able to get one back for the side currently sat sixth in the Eredivisie table (48’). The Rothosen didn’t have to wait long to see the gap extended once again, though, with a sense of déjà vu at the Volkspark as Jurjus denied Pherai’s shot, only to see Sahiti pounce on the rebound once again (55’). The visitors refused to give in despite the scoreline, with van der Werff ruthlessly netting his second of the day to make it 4-2 just after the hour mark (62’). Head coach Polzin decided fresh legs were needed to see out the final 30 minutes, with four substitutes coming on at once. Two of them were clearly eager to impress, making their mark on the game after just a few moments. Noah Katterbach swung in the ball from out on the left, where Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer was able to stick away HSV’s fifth of the day. The Rothosen’s third three-goal lead of the game didn’t last too long, though, with Mark Hoekstra stepping up for FC Groningen after just two minutes (72’). However, Hamburger SV managed to have the final say in the thrilling friendly affair. Guilherme Ramos headed home from a Jean-Luc Dompe corner delivery to seal the final result at 6-3 to the Rothosen.

Polzin will expect his side to follow up their dominant victory with an enthusiastic session on the training pitches tomorrow (13th November) at 11:00 CET. From Friday through Sunday (14th November to 16th November), Nicolai Remberg and co. will have the opportunity to enjoy three days off from the training schedule. The squad will return to work on Monday (17th November) as the team begin preparations for the game away at FC Augsburg on Saturday (22nd November) at 15:30 CET.

Match facts

Hamburger SV: Dickes - Ramos, Soumahoro, Torunarigha - Mikelbrencis, Vieira (61’ Hefti), Remberg (C) (46’ Rath), Jatta (61’ Katterbach) - Pherai (81’ Adam), Glatzel (61’ Königsdörffer), Sahiti (61’ Dompe)

FC Groningen: Jurjus - Rente (C) (46’ Emeran), Peersman (46’ Kelder), Janse (61’ Bouland), Prins (61’ Mercera) - Land (61’ Dilemma), de Jonge (46’ Resink) - Mendes (61’ Hoekstra), Taha (46’ van der Werff), Seuntjens (61’ Holder) - Zawada (61’ Eggens)

Goals: 1-0 Sahiti (15’), 2-0 Pherai (17’), 3-0 Jatta (43’), 3-1 van der Werff (48’), 4-1 Sahiti (55’), 4-2 van der Werff (62’), 5-2 Königsdörffer (70’), 5-3 Hoekstra (72’), 6-3 Ramos (84’)

Referee: Robert Schröder (Hannover)