Pokal round-up: Frankfurt progress, Hertha Berlin stun Mainz, and Nürnberg complete comeback in extra-time
Three other Pokal games kicked off under the floodlit football temples of Germany. In which, Eintracht Frankfurt saw off Viktoria Köln, Hertha Berlin defeated Mainz, and Nürnberg required extra-time to eliminate Hansa Rostock.
Eintracht Frankfurt 2 – Vicktoria Köln 0
Die Adler continued their solid form of late in what was a strong performance against 3.Liga opponents Viktoria Köln. Laying the foundations for success was Tunisian international Ellyes Skhiri on the 14th minute. Chaïbi’s original corner was flicked on by Koch were the central midfielder tapped home comfortably.
Viktoria Köln stuck to the task admirably as the final 10 minutes neared. A series of freekicks and corners threatened to find an equaliser. Fortunately for second-choice Frankfurt keeper Grahl, his clean sheet remained intact to see Toppmöller’s side into the last 16. Ansgar Knauff’s goal teed up by Paxten Aaronson added the final gloss to the result.
Hertha Berlin 3 – Mainz 0
What would typically be an all-Bundesliga encounter would be no more tonight. Hertha Berlin’s relegation to the second division left Mainz expectations high. The Carnival city club came agonisingly close to the opener before the half-hour– Leandro Barriero’s effort kissing off the wrong side of Ernst’s crossbar. However, Maxim Leitsch’s mistimed tackle on Niederlechner offered Hertha a penalty. Fabian Reese sent Zentner the wrong way to delight the Olympiastadion attendance before half-time.
Five second-half minutes offered Hertha their second penalty of the night. Arbiter Jöllenbeck pointed directly to the spot when Gruda’s arm met ball in the Mainz box. On this occasion, Tabakovic hammered the ball down the middle. The game was put beyond doubt in the 62nd minute when Tabakovic doubled his tally and extended Berlin’s lead to 3-0 with a well-placed header.
Nürnberg 3 – Hansa Rostock 2
Sat side-by-side in the 2.Bundesliga table, Nürnberg welcomed Hansa Rostock to the electric Max-Morlock Stadion. Unsurprisingly, the first-half was incredibly even and hard-fought. Neither side gave more than an inch as both Nürnberg’s Okinuki and Rostock’s Froling spurned optimal chances at either end.
The scores wouldn’t remain that way for long in the second period, however. Ingelsson’s delivery minutes before the hour mark found Junior Brumdao thumped home. Although the lead would last a mere five minutes as Okinuki responded with a fine strike, Rostock’s Kinsombi reestablished the visitor’s lead at 2-1 with a quarter of an hour play.
But in the 5th minute of added time, Nürnberg forced a second equaliser. Hayashi crossing from the left to find Felix Lohkemper in a central position. In doing so, extra time was required to find a winner.
In the 100th minute Lohkemper completed the Nürnberg comeback. A beautiful instep finish sailed over Kolke between the Rostock posts. Can Uzun’s missed spotkick at the death would prove meaningless as the host's advance.