Union beat Chemnitz 2:1
Important win in extra time:
The first round of the DFB Pokal, the German Cup, delivered some surprising results. But not in Chemnitz. Union took advantage of their individual class and power and came to an important win against Chemnitzer FC in extra time. Jordan Siebatcheu quickly equalized the home side’s lead (62., 64.). Kevin Behrens headed in for a deserved win in the second half of the extra time (114.).
1. FC Union Berlin: Rönnow – Trimmel, Jaeckel, Knoche, Heintz, Gießelmann (79. Ryerson) – Haraguchi (69.Schäfer), Khedira, Haberer (62. Voglsammer) – Becker (79. Pantovic), Siebatcheu (105. Behrens)
Chemnitzer FC: Jakubov – Berger (99. Ulrich), Zickert, Pelivan, Campulka, Walther – Müller, Kurt (89. Keller), Pagliuca (89. Stagge) – Roscher (75. Kircicek), Brügmann (106. Mensah)
Goals: 1:0 Müller (63.), 1:1 Siebatcheu (64.), 1:2 Behrens (114.)
Attendance: 13.465
Some chances - no goals
Union started with the well known 5-3-2 system in its first competetive game of the new season. With Jordan Siebatcheu and Janik Haberer two of the new faces in the team made their appearance in the starting eleven. Chemnitz, an ambitious fourth tier side, chose the same system.
Union quickly took control with a lot of ball possession. With full speed and the will to dominate the game the first chances came up within the first twenty minutes. Captain Christopher Trimmel missed the best one. His shot fired from just outside the box hit the outside of the net. Twenty minutes were played when Chemnitz first tried to get closer to the Union goal, but the ball was kept away from real danger by an attentive Union defence.
Encouraged by impressive support of their fans both teams were willing but so far not able to create good chances. After 45 and one minute extra time referee Bastian Dankert blew the whistle and finished the first half of the game with no goals on the scoreboard.
Chemnitz takes the lead, Union strikes back
The second half started without any substitutions but the game quickly looked different compared to the last 15 minutes of the first half. Within ten minutes both teams delivered well with quick runnings, corners and good attempts on the goal. Especially Chemnitz seemed to be willing to use its remaining power before losing it. Union was somehow impressed but fought back soon.
As an hour was played the game went crazy for the next minutes. Chemnitz took advantage of a free kick which was headed in by Captain Tobias Müller (62.). Urs Fischer brought his first substitute, Voglsammer came in for Haberer, and delivered on the spot. With the ball at his feet he entered the box from the left and passed the ball to Siebatcheu who finished superbly with an overhead kick – 1:1 (64.). Those goals brought the needed impulses to the so far mostly eventless game. Union started into the last 15 minutes with some fresh staff on the pitch. Schäfer, Ryerson and Pantovic had replaced Haraguchi, Gießelmann and Becker and they tried to put the spotlight on themselves. Schäfer finished twice, geting a superb header cleared by the keepers fingertips. In the 85th minute Trimmel took the shot. This time only the far post stopped the ball from rushing into the net.
Chemnitz players were powered out but did not give up. No more attempts for a late goal were made by the home side anymore but they managed to finish the 90 plus 3 minutes with a draw.
Union pressure in extra time, Behrens with the golden header
Another 30 minutes for both teams to go Union took over complete control now. The lead should have been only a matter of time. With Christopher Trimmel delivering one cross after another countless attempts were made by his team mates. But time went by without that one goal that Union desperately needed.
New striking force was brought by Urs Fischer with Kevin Behrens replacing Siebatcheu. It started off the way it just finished minutes ago. Trimmel delivering, Trimmel finishing himself, but finally the big moment had come. Trimmel served another corner and Behrens headed it into the net with all the power he had – 2:1 for Union (114.). With no more power to come back for Chemnitz Union brought it home and reached the second round in the German Cup.
