Karlsruhe prevent Pokal upset with comeback win over Preußen Münster
| Photo: Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images. |
Karlsruhe SC were pushed to the pin of their collar by SC Preußen Münster this evening, but ultimately came from behind to reach the DFB-Pokal second round — goals from Wanitzek and Jung secured the 2-1 victory after the break.
It took 15 minutes for both side to uncover their creative spark as Morten Behrens tipped a Marcel Franke header over the bar. At the other end, Louis Phillip Kolbe fired about a metre wide of the Karlsruhe target.
A fine chance seemed to light a fire under Preußen Münster as Makridis powered past Jung after a clever turn and got a shot away from a tight angle Karlsruhe shot-stopper Bernat parried with his foot at the near post.
However, the Bernat stood rooted to the spot as Münster took a 1-0 just 10 minutes out from the break. Irish winger Ryan Johannson weaved a path for Montrell Ndikom to place an unsighted shot perfectly inside the right post.
Karlsruhe demonstrated their quality upon the resumption of the second-half as Ben Farhat and Broschinski came close to restoring parity. However, the breakthrough eventually come with a little over 20 minutes left on the clock.
Deniz Ofli fed captain Marvin Wanitzek in a central position. The midfielder took one touch to get it out from under his feet and release a strike from 30 yards which ripped past the gloves of the despairing Behrens.
With the third-tier hosts struggling, Karlsruhe went 2-1 to the good on 81 minutes. Danyal Zor's switch was redirected by the head of Broschinski for Sebastian Jung to thrash home and seal their progression to the second round.
Frustration in Münster was laid bare as Althaus caught Väänänen on the ankle with his studs in injury time. Match referee Florian Badstübner wasted no time in brandishing a red card for the reckless foul, making defeat that bit worse.
