Football United

HSV coach Thomas Doll was without his classy Dutch international defefender Khalid Boulahrouz through suspension, he was also without the services of the long term injured duo of Bastian Reinhardt and Collin Benjamin, both of whom are back in training. Dutch master Rafael van der Vaart was also missing, after undergoing recent surgery. On the good news side, the slightly injured Guy Demel and Thimothee Atouba were fit in time to face Slavia Prague. For HSV’s Czech-born midfielder David Jarolim, the clash on Thursday evening was anything but just another game. Slavia is coached by his father Karel and his brother Lukas plays for them too.

Early breakthough
The home side took the game by the scruff of the neck from the off. Their early dominance was soon to be turned into goals, even though Sergej Barbarez missed the first chance of the match on 7 minutes. Two minutes later though, the Bosnian went one better as he gave HSV a deserved lead as he powered in a bullet-like header following a superbly accurate cross from the right by Stefan Beinlich. Mpenza could have doubled the home side’s lead moments later, but the Belgian striker pushed the ball wide after finding himself one on one with the Slavia keeper Kozacik. The Czech side found their way into the game after the early setback and Suchy missed their first chance on 17 minutes.



On 27 minutes HSV should have gone further ahead, as Mpenza was brought down in the Prague area by keeper Kozacik who was promptly sent off. The Belgian took the penalty himself but was denied by the newly brought on keeper Seliga, who guessed the right corner and superbly pushed the ball around his post. HSV took a one goal lead with them into the half time break.

Mpenza at last
Mpenza,down on his luck during the first half, saw his fortunes change on 57 minutes, as a wonderful through ball by Barbarez allowed the Belgian striker to lob the out-rushing keeper Seliga for a superb and well deserved goal. Five minutes later, Mpenza was forced to go off after tearing a muscle. He was replaced by Benny Lauth, who almost scored with a header moments after coming on, his well timed effort on 66 minutes went agonisingly wide.

Cruise control
Ten-man Prague tried hard but was unable to break down the well organised home defence. Two minutes from time, skipper Daniel van Buyten surged forward only to put his shot wide of the mark. HSV easily played out time, and deserved their convincing win which sends them through to the knock out stages of the UEFA Cup. The draw fort he next stage will take place on Friday.



HSV: Kirschstein - Mahdavikia, Demel, van Buyten, Atouba - Wicky (61.Laas), Beinlich, Jarolim, Trochowski - Barbarez (70.Takahara), Mpenza (64.Lauth)

Slavia Prague: Kozacik - Krajcik, Latka, Suchy, Holenak - Vlcek (80.Pesir), Gedeon, L. Jarolim, Hrdlicka (86.Svec), Svento - Fort (29.Seliga)

Goals: 1:0 Barbarez (09.), 2:0 Mpenza (57.)

Source: hsv.de