VfL Bochum 1 - 2 Hamburg SV
HSV bagged their 4th away win in five games by way of a 2-1 victory in Bochum in round 17. The win means that HSV will finish the first half of the season in the top ten places in the Bundesliga. First half goals by Sergej Barbarez and Collin Benjamin did the business for Thomas Doll and Co. in the final game ahead of the winter break.
Several changes
Bochum lost 5-2 away to Stuttgart in round 16 so it was no surprise that their coach Peter Neururer made four changes to his starting line-up for the visit of HSV. On Thursday his second choice keeper tore a meniscus during training, so his first choice keeper van Duijnhoven had to interrupt his recovery from a heel injury to face HSV. The Bochum playmaker Wosz, as well as fit-again striker Lokvenc and Zdebel und Bechmann came in for Misimovic, Trojan and Edu.
Dolly forced to re-think
After the 0-2 home defeat at home to Hanover in round 16, the HSV coach Thomas Doll was without the defensive duo Wicky and Schlicke, both of whom were suspended after collecting five yellow cards. Mpenza was also missing with an ankle injury. On the good news side, Doll was able to recall Sergej Barbarez and Khalid Boulharouz after suspension. He also picked the 20 year old Slovenian right back Brecko, for his first Bundesliga match for an age.
Both sides had a point to prove
The sums before the match were very simple. A win for the home side would leave them going into the winter break above the relegation zone. A win for the visitors would push them into the top ten places in the Bundesliga table. HSV was determined to prove that the home defeat against Hanover was nothing more than a flash in the pan.
Cautious start
Both sides started the game in a cautious manner, with the home side visibly nervous and HSV solid in defence, just waiting for the chance to counter attack. Both sides cancelled each other out in midfield during the opening 20 minutes or so, and then out of the blue, HSV went ahead on 26 minutes.
Two goals in 8 minutes
A long curling freekick into the box by Stefan Beinlich had Kalla flapping and Sergej Barbarez gleefully headed home his 7th goal of the season unmarked at the far post. The home side tried to come back at HSV, but 8 minutes later they fell further behind as Van Duijnhoven could only parry another Beinlich cross into the path of Jarolim, who kept his cool to pas to Collin Benjamin on the penalty spot, where he scored HSV’s second. HSV deserved the 2 goal half time lead.
One way traffic
Bochum’s coach Neururer took off the former HSV player Maltritz at the end of the first half. He had already been booked and looked likely to get a second card if he didn’t come off. Maltritz was replaced by Edu. HSV sat back on their two goal lead and let the home side come at them, and they did.
Piecke in top form
The home side created several half chances but Martin Pieckenhagen was in superb form, especially as he produced a world class save to deny Bechmann after 68 minutes. Ten minutes later though, the HSV goalie was powerless as Bochum pushed forward and Madsen hit a post with Pieckenhagen beaten. Takahara could have had a hat trick but once again failed in front of goal.
Bochum pull one back
Seven minutes from time, Bochum finally got a deserved goal as HSV failed to clear their lines and Bechmann blasted home a fine goal from the edge of the box. It was however, too little too late for Bochum, and HSV went home deserving their victory which they celebrated after the match with the hordes of HSV fans who had made the trip to Bochum.
Bring on Bayern!
So the first half of the season is over, and as Thomas Doll took over from Klaus Toppmöller HSV were propping up the Bundesliga table in last place. Since then the former HSV striker has breathed new life into the side, meaning that all HSV fans can look forward to the round 18 match away to mighty Bayern Munich on Friday January 21st. Bayern will be without Michael Ballack for the visit of HSV. The German international midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card during the 2-2 home draw against VfB Stuttgart. During that match Oliver Kahn boobed again, allowing Kevin Kuranyi to put Stuttgart two goals up.
VfL Bochum: van Duijnhoven - Colding (72.Meichelbeck), Kalla, Knavs, Bönig (65.Misimovic) - Maltritz (46. Edu), Zdebel, Bechmann, Wosz - Lokvenc, Madsen
Hamburger SV: Pieckenhagen - Brecko, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Klingbeil - Benjamin, Jarolim, Beinlich (90.Rahn), Moreira (69.Mahdavikia) - Takahara, Barbarez (85.Reinhardt)
Source: hsv.de
Goals: 0:1 Barbarez (26.), 0:2 Benjamin (34.), 1:2 Bechmann (83.)
