Augsburg comfortably see off Viktoria Berlin in Pokal opener

FC Augsburg have punched their ticket for the next stage of the cup after a rout of Regionalliga Nordost side, Viktoria Berlin, in the German capital. Goals from Elvis Rexhbecaj, Samuel Essende, Niklas Dorsch, and Phillip Tietz sent Jess Thorup's side into the second-round of the DfB Pokal.

However, Die Fuggerstädters didn't have it all their own way as Viktoria Berlin opened the scoring in the 4th-minute. A corner flicked on by centre-half Nicolas Hebisch fell to the back post where Aidan Liu poked home. The Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark erupted for what could be the last time, with plans for its demolition scheduled this coming Autumn.

It was no dent in the confidence for Thorup's men who grew into the occasion, as full-backs Giannoulis and Pedersen started to threaten. Elvis Rexhbecaj eventually restored parity after some neat work from Arne Engels and Phillip Tietz. The Kosovan's effort kissed off the right post on its way to the net. 

Less than eight minutes into the second-half and Augsburg took the lead. A first competitive goal from Samuel Essende, who played a precise one-two with Arne Maier before picking out the right corner of Florian Horenburg's goal. A big weight off the 24-year-old's shoulder who arrived in July.

Throwing caution to the wind left the German fourth division side exposed to the point of exhaustion. Ruben Vargas' delivery was doubled on by Yusuf Kabadayi - Niklas Dorsch raced in to leave Augsburg two goals to the good in the 87th-minute. Injury time brought extra misery for Viktoria, as Dimitrios Giannoulis was eventually rewarded for his efforts down the flank. Phillip Tietz steered home with his head to make it 4-1.