Hamburg 3 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen (German Cup)
HSV reached the third round of the FA Cup on Wednesday evening (26.10.05), as they beat fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 in front of 35,871 in the AOL Arena. Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov put the visitors ahead on 3 minutes after a mistake by the HSV keeper Stefan Wächter. After the break, the HSV skipper Daniel van Buyten headed his side’s equaliser on 55 minutes. Sergej Barbarez put the home side ahead on 62 minutes, before Berbatov equalised for Leverkusen nine minutes from time. Three minutes later, Raphael Wicky scored the winner with a header.
Dolly raises eyebrows
The HSV coach Thomas Doll made three changes to his side which drew 1-1 away to Dortmund in the Bundesliga at the weekend. Van der Vaart, Mahdavikia and Takahara came into the side for Klingbeil, Wicky and Mpenza. The new Bayer coach Michael Skibbe introduced two players to the side which drew 1-1 against Stuttgart. Rolfes and Madouni replaced Freier and Babic in his starting line-up, allowing Athirson to move into midfield.
Early shock
The crowd had hardly taken their seats in the AOL Arena for the FA Cup round 2 clash before the visitors took the lead. The home keeper Stefan Wächter could only parry a shot by Barnetta into the path of the ever-dangerous Bulgarian international striker Dimitar Berbatov, who easily scored from close range to give Leverkusen the perfect start.
Close free kick
HSV needed some time to recover from the early shock. The got a grip on the game without it must be said creating much goalmouth action. The only real threat to the goal being guarded by the former HSV goalie Butt, was a 16th minute free kick by Raphael van der Vaart, who is suspended for the Bundesliga, but is eligible for both the UEFA and FA Cup competitions.
Three second half goal
HSV remained dominant at the start of the second half and they were finally rewarded for their pressure on 55 minutes, as their skipper Daniel van Buyten equalised with a powerful header. Seven minutes later, Bosnian striker Sergej Barbarez nudged HSV into the lead for the first time. Leverkusen to their credit never gave up, and dramatically equalised through Berbatov nine minutes from time. HSV refused to be undone, and on 84 minutes Swiss-born defensive midfielder and second half substitute Raphael Wicky, scored what turned ou to be the winner with a fine header
HSV: Wächter - Mahdavikia, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Atouba (66.Ziegler) - Beinlich, Jarolim, Trochowski (46.Lauth), van der Vaart - Barbarez, Takahara (72.Wicky)
Bayer Leverkusen: Butt - Madouni (65.Freier), Juan, Roque Junior, Athirson - Barnetta, Castro, Rolfes (66.Krzynowek), Schneider - Berbatov, Voronin
Goals: 0:1 Berbatov (03.), 1:1 van Buyten (55.), 2:1 Barbarez (62.), 2:2 Berbatov (81.), 3:2 Wicky (84.)
Source: Hsv.de
