Report: Hedlund winner secures victory at St. Pauli
Match report
Simon Hedlund scored the decisive goal with 10 minutes left to fire 10-man 1. FC Union Berlin to three points at FC St. Pauli on Saturday.
The Swede's fifth goal of the season seals Union's first victory on the road since October's win over Jahn Regensburg.
1.FC Union XI: Mesenhöler; Friedrich (Sent off 56'), Torrejon, Leistner; Pedersen, Trimmel, Fürstner (Redondo 90'), Kroos; Hedlund (Kurzweg 88'), Daube (Hartel 75'), Skrzybski
With the stakes high in the 2.Bundesliga, Saturday's visit to Hamburg took on a must-win importance given St Pauli and Union were two of the five clubs on 37 points. But after a nervy start, Union forced the best attacking chance of the first quarter with Steven Skrzybski charging half the length of the pitch before striking against the post from 20 yards out. A few minutes later, Toni Leistner powered through the home side's defensive structure, shooting across the face of goal - but just a few yards ahead of Simon Hedlund who couldn't turn the ball home in front of the 3,000 travelling fans.
The home side threatened on the half-hour mark with Christopher Buchtmann charging through one-on-one with Daniel Mesenhöler. St. Pauli's number 10 was sensationally denied by Leistner who hooked the ball off-the-line after a superb defensive recovery. At the other end, ex-Pauli player Dennis Daube rounded the keeper but saw his finish cleared on the line by Philipp Ziereis.
Hofschneider's side returned from the interval and established an impressive dominance over proceedings. Important in the eventual goal, Hedlund's deft change of direction created the space for the Swede to shoot and cannon a left-foot strike against the crossbar on 50 minutes. The screw looked to be turned when Marc Torrejon's header was cleared from the danger zone by Lassie Sobiech. Just as the team looked to be on the ascendency, Marvin Friedrich's second booking handed the home side a man advantage with half an hour left.
After a period of the game when Union soaked up the pressure, Marcel Hartel's introduction off the bench gave the Berliners an added impetus in attack. With 10 minutes left, Union's attacking intent was rewarded when the ball broke to Hedlund, who shifted the ball inside before sending it past Robert Himmelmann.
Back on home soil with a boost:
1. FC Union Berlin return to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei next Saturday (21.04.2018, 13:00) with 16th-placed Heidenheim the visitors. Tickets are still available for a crunch 2.Bundesliga game in Köpenick.
Preview: All at stake when Union head to sold-out Millerntor
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin make the trip to Hamburg on Saturday (14.04.2018, 13:00) to take on FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium.
2.Bundesliga as close as never before
Just four points separates fourth position and 15th spot in the German second division with five matches left to play on the calendar. In their last outing a week ago, St Pauli went down 2-1 against Erzgebirge Aue, ending a run of three consecutive draws. The club from Hamburg, coached by Markus Kauczinski, occupy 15th – three points ahead of 16th Heidenheim and five ahead of Darmstadt, who are in the second automatic relegation position.
Meanwhile, Andre Hofschneider’s team held on to a point at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei last weekend against MSV Duisburg. The Köpenick side have a positive goal difference (+6) but are one of five clubs – Pauli, Greuther Fürth, Dynamo Dresden and Eintracht Braunschweig are the others - bunched together on the same total of 37 points from 29 matches.
"Many teams are happy when they come to us and many are also happy when they drive to St. Pauli. When these two teams then play against each other, of course it’s something special. That's why I think it can be a great motivation to just look forward to such a game," said head coach Hofschneider at the pre-match media briefing. "St. Pauli is in a similar predicament to us. They haven't had resounding successes in the last few weeks, so they're going to throw everything into the mix in this game. It will certainly be a very fast-paced, aggressive and emotional game in which we have to hold out and successfully implement our style of play."
Fewer injury problems, Gogia is back in training
There has been some good news on the fitness front for Hofschneider this week, following Akaki Gogia’s return to full training. According to the Union Berlin coach, he has coped well with the intensity over the last few days and could be in contention for a starting spot on Saturday. Defender Michael Parensen has made his first steps towards an end-of-season recovery, but Fabian Schönheim and Sebastian Polter remain out with long-term injuries.
Away block sold out – important info
If supporters of 1. FC Union Berlin have purchased tickets for the home end, FC St Pauli has explicitly warned supporters that Union colours are forbidden. The same applies when carrying other items, such as scarves, banners or flags, which are also strictly prohibited from the home section of the ground.
