Football United

VfL Wolfsburg won the Niedersachsen derby in the AWD Arena in Hanover 4-2! The Wolves were 4-1 in front at half time! Coach Holger Fach’s side were two goals to the good after only 14 minutes, as a double whammy by the German international striker Mike Hanke put the Wolves in the driving seat. There followed a double dose of Argentinean magic as first Diego Klimowicz (27.) and then Andres D'Alessandro (33.) made it game over for the Wolves before the break. Both of the consolation goals for the home side were scored by the former Wolves striker Brdaric (30. 89.), nice try Tommi!

Hanke gets the nod
After the unlucky 0-1 loss away to Bayern Munich in round 5, the Hanover coach Ewald saw no reason to change his side. His Wolfsburg counterpart Holger Fach, only made one change to his side which drew 1-1 at home to Nürnberg at the weekend. The German international striker Mike Hanke replaced Menseguez up front. It was to be a decision which was to pay off for Holger Fach.

First blood to the Wolves
Hanover made a cautious start to the match against a solid looking Wolves defence. The home side had the first chance of the game through Hashemian on 7 minutes, who found his master in the Wolves keeper Simon Jentzsch. The visiting side exploited the weaknesses in the home defence and deservedly took the lead on 10 minutes, as Mike Hanke accepted a superb lob by Karhan which sent him on his way. Hanke drew the Hanover keeper Enke, before pushing the ball through the legs of the keeper to give the Wolves the lead on 10 minutes.

Hanover shell-shocked
Hanover appeared to be shell-shocked, and the Wolves took advantage of the home side’s insecurity and doubled their lead only four minutes later as again Hanke leaving his marker Zuraw in his wake connected with a superb pass from Andres D’alessandro, before scoring easily from close range. The home side although shocked, tried to come back two minutes later and had a good opportunity as Lala lobbed the ball into the Wolfsburg penalty area, where Mertesacker slid in trying to push the ball past Jentzsch in the Wolfsburg gaol. The Wolves keeper who has been in superb form of late, had other ideas, as he skilfully cleared for a corner.

Wolves in driving seat
The Wolves knew that they could rely on their solid defence and pressed forward in search for a third goal, which they managed to score on 27 minutes. This time, utility man Hans Sarpei brought Diego Klimowicz into a move, which resulted in the Argentinean goal-getter and all time record goal scorer for the Wolves, slotted home from what appeared to be an offside position.

Brdaric on target
VfL Wolfsburg slackened their defensive attitude somewhat, which allowed the former Wolves striker Thomas Brdaric to pull one back for the home side on the half hour mark. New signing Alex, allowed the German international striker to reach a cross from his head first, resulting in a consolation goal for the home side.

World class goal
VfL Wolfsburg was not particularly bothered by the Bdaric strike, D’Alessandro picked up a yellow card for taking a free kick before the referee Schmidt had allowed it. The body language of the little Argentinean suggested a cross, but he saw that the Hanover keeper Enke off his line, and tried his luck on 34 minutes with a shot which nestled in the back of the Hanover net, leaving Enke looking a little silly. 4-1 for the Wolves to the Wolves at half time.

No sweat
After the break, the home side attacked the Wolves without much effect, the Wolfsburg defence stood solid, only allowing rare Hanover chances. A minute from time, the home side grabbed a consolation goal, as Brdaric grabbed his second of the game, Lala crossed over the whole Wolfsburg defensive line. Hahne crossed into the Wolfsburg penalty area, where Brdaric was waiting to pick up the rebound from a Jentzsch save. It was all too little too late for the home side, and the Wolves deservedly took maximum points home with them to Wolfsburg.

HANOVER: Enke; Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat; Lala, Dabrowski; Yankov, Stajner; Hashemian, Brdaric.

WOLFSBURG: Jentzsch; Alex, Quiroga, Hofland, Neziri; Sarpei; Karhan, Tskitishvili; D'Alessandro; Hanke, Klimowicz.

GOALS: 0-1, Hanke (10'); 0-2, Hanke (14'); 0-3, Klimowicz (27'); 1-3, Brdaric (30'); 1-4, D'Alessandro (34'); 2-4, Brdaric (89')

BUNDESLIGA

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Bayern 6 18
2. Bremen 6 13
3. Hamburg 5 11
4. Schlake 5 9
5. Köln 5 9
...
6. Wolfsburg 6 9

Source: vfl-wolfsburg.de