2. Bundesliga: Keller strikes late to secure important Fürth victory over Kiel

With the contest seemingly heading towards a goalless draw, Keller struck in the 87th minute to settle a closely fought encounter and give Heiko Vogel's side a much-needed victory.

Fürth started the contest brightly, enjoying the majority of possession during the opening stages, although clear-cut opportunities were initially difficult to come by. Holstein Kiel threatened first through Giorgi Kvilitaia, who was found inside the penalty area following a cross from the right, but the Georgian forward was quickly crowded out before he could get a clean shot away.

The visitors gradually grew into the game, with Hiroki Sekine missing a good opportunity in the 25th minute after getting on the end of a delivery from Leon Parduzi. The Japanese defender found himself unmarked inside the penalty area but could only direct his header over Florian Hellstern's crossbar. Jonas Therkelsen also went close shortly beforehand, seeing his effort from the edge of the box drift narrowly wide.

Fürth struggled to create much in the final third, although Felix Klaus fired wide after a promising counter-attacking opportunity. The hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock just before half-time when Gian-Luca Itter intercepted a misplaced pass and released Omar Sillah through on goal. However, the forward lost his footing while attempting to control the ball, allowing Timon Weiner to avoid being tested. The sides subsequently went into the interval goalless.

Holstein Kiel introduced John Tolkin and Gyan de Regt at the interval, replacing Leon Parduzi and Jonas Therkelsen respectively, but the visitors almost immediately found themselves under pressure. Fürth worked the ball through Ole Pohlmann and Shinta Appelkamp before Klaus fired narrowly over from distance.

Kiel responded with a dangerous counter-attack of their own in the 53rd minute. De Regt picked out Adrian Kaprálik, with an excellent diagonal pass, allowing the winger to race into the penalty area. His effort towards the near post was well saved by Hellstern, who pushed the ball behind for a corner.

The visitors continued to threaten, with Phil Harres denied by Hellstern in the 64th minute after a defensive error from Fürth's Hendry Blank inadvertently played the ball into his path. The goalkeeper reacted well to block the striker's close-range effort and keep the scores level.

Kiel were arguably the more dangerous side as the second half progressed, prompting Fürth to introduce Aaron Keller in place of Pohlmann in the 66th minute. Jordan and Faton Ademi also entered the contest as Vogel looked to inject fresh energy into his attacking options.

With neither side able to find a breakthrough, the match appeared destined to finish without a goal. However, Keller had other ideas, with the substitute finding the back of the net in the 87th minute to hand Fürth a crucial late advantage.

The hosts subsequently held on to their narrow lead to secure a 1-0 victory, ensuring another disappointing afternoon for Tim Walter's side and claiming three important points in their battle to move away from the bottom end of the 2. Bundesliga table.