Hansa’s opening goal does not count
The 24,770 spectators in the Ostseestadion, which was full for the first time in two years, were treated to a spectacular game with numerous scoring chances for both sides right from the start. According to video evidence, referee Benjamin Brand did not give the hosts the opening goal scored by Simon Rhein: John Verhoek had prevailed too rustically against Jakov Medic (4th).
In general, there were a lot of intense, heated duels on the pitch, Rostocker Verhoek and Ryan Malone picked up yellow cards early on. But there was also good combination football played in between: Guido Burgstaller missed twice with good prospects for St. Pauli (7′, 13′), on the other side Verhoek (10′) and Hanno Behrens (15′) failed at St. Pauli’s keeper Nikola Vasilj.
Vasilj holds the zero for St. Pauli
After a good half hour, the action calmed down, there were fewer scenes in the penalty area. But when it became dangerous, it was in front of the Hamburg goal: Vasilj, who was already going in the other direction, just got his hand on Neidhart’s deflected shot from 16 meters (40′). The Kiezkicker were able to thank their keeper, who was also on hand against Svante Ingelsson (45′), for going into the break without conceding a goal.