Pokal round-up: Heidenheim advance as Hamburg survive Essen scare
The Bundesliga's newly promoted side had no difficulties overcoming fifth-tier opposition Rostocker. It was a different story for Hamburg however, who needed an extra-time goal to see off Rot-Weiss Essen in dramatic fashion.
Rostocker FC 0 – FC Heidenheim 8
Newly promoted Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim ruthlessly dispatched Rostocker FC in the DfB Pokal first round today. The Oberliga Nord side were put to the sword early in the first half. A flurry of four goals between the 9th and 18th minute demonstrated Heidenheim’s superiority. Adrian Beck opened the scoring before Tim Kleindienst added two of his own in three minutes. The pick of the bunch being the striker’s sumptuous volley as he latched onto a Marnon Busch cross. Former Dortmund player, Lennard Maloney added the fourth, while Pieringer made it 5-0 just before the break.
The second half action proved to be no different. Werder Bremen loanee Dinkci pounced on a defensive mix-up which made it 6-0. Busch enjoyed the freedom of the right flank all afternoon and picked up a second assist on 72 minutes. Pieringer rising highest in the box to bag a brace of his own.
Rot-Weiss Essen 3 – Hamburger SV 4
After a solid start to 2.Bundesliga action, Hamburg were made sweat for their Pokal victory over Rot-Weiss Essen this afternoon. The third division side hosted the clash in a packed-out Stadion an der Hafenstrasse. Bakary Jatta broke the deadlock for the visitors from the Hanseatic city. However, ex-Gladbach midfielder, Torben Musel, responded just before the interval.
Jatta would squeeze home both his and Hamburg’s second on 54 minutes. However, Essen showed no signs of surrendering. Two minutes later, a lightning quick break allowed Moussa Doumbouya to fire home. As has been the case so often for HSV, Robert Glatzel fired back to restore the lead. The skipper remained ice cool to control Dompe’s original effort and finish to a half empty net. Essen amazingly would respond for a third time in the 83rd minute – a quickly worked corner allowed Eisfeld time to find Brumme who headed home for 3-3. Extra time ensued as tiredness entered the legs. The decisive goal would eventually come in the 117th minute. Laszlo Benes’ strike from the edge of the box too hot to handle for Golz. A classic Pokal thriller finished 4-3 to the visitors.