With his first two Bundesliga goals, Martijn Kaars gave FC. Helped St. Pauli win the basement duel against Heidenheim – despite Hamburg being outnumbered for a long time. On Saturday afternoon, Hamburg ended their historic winless streak of nine games with a 2-1 (1-0) win.
Kaars’ bone-dry finishes at over 100 km/h each put his team’s victory on the way (35th and 53rd minutes of the game). Heidenheim benefited from the dismissal of St. Pauli’s Eric Smith (45th + 1) and came close again with the advantage through Marvin Pieringer (64th). In a thrilling final phase, the hosts saved the result over time.
With their third win of the season, the Hamburg team now has 11 points in the table. St. Pauli is in relegation place 16, Heidenheim is one place behind in a relegation zone with the same points and has to accept a setback again after two wins in a row.
St. Pauli takes control of the game
“We have a debt to pay,” said St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin before the game against their neighbors in the table – knowing full well that the home game against Heidenheim would be one of those games that it is better to win if they are to stay in the league. And the team followed Blessin’s words with action, appearing active and focused from the start.
Heidenheim’s Pieringer had the first good opportunity with a header (13′), but then Hamburg took control of the game and regularly created good situations. After Jackson Irvine’s strong pass, Mathias Pereira Lage could have taken the lead, but Tim Siersleben cleared the ball in desperate need just before the line.
Martijn Kaars: taking the lead at over 100 km/h
But St. Pauli stuck with it and played their way through the midfield several times – there was a clear improvement compared to the last few weeks. The opening goal also came from a longer phase of possession: Joel Chima Fujita carefully used Kaars on the right in the penalty area, who shot high to the near corner at a whopping 106 km/h and gave Diant Ramaj no chance in the Heidenheim goal.
Things were going well for Hamburg – with their first lead in front of their home crowd this season, St. Pauli could have gone into the dressing room satisfied – if it hadn’t been for the 45th minute. Smith ultimately misjudged a harmless pass and allowed the ball to be stolen from him by the attentive Pieringer. To correct his mistake, Smith briefly pulled the Heidenheim striker’s shoulder as he started to sprint with the ball. Referee Sören Storks interpreted the foul as an emergency brake, and the VAR did not intervene either.
Eric Smith (left) has little understanding for his expulsion
The hosts protested vehemently, coach Blessin received a yellow card for his bold words. However, the tough but justifiable decision remained. With the 0-1 deficit, but with one man more, Heidenheim went into the locker room.
Heidenheim makes double changes and increases the number of hits
The onus, which St. Pauli in particular had felt before the game, naturally fell on the guests in the second half. Coach Schmidt made two changes, bringing on Omar Traoré and Stefan Schimmer in order to revive the offensive as quickly as possible. Less than two minutes after being substituted, it was Schimmer who had the chance to equalize: the in-form Joker ran a through ball and tried to tunnel through St. Pauli’s goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, but he was able to deflect the ball out of the net.
Brings new momentum to the offensive: Heidenheim’s Stefan Schimmer
The game was now completely different: St. Pauli, with the lead behind them, stood extremely deep and let Heidenheim come. The resulting advantage for Hamburg: space opened up at the back of the defensive line. Again it was the strong Fujita who sent Kaars deep into the opponent’s half after winning the ball. The Dutchman ran into the penalty area and scored another extremely hard finish (116 km/h) to make it 2-0. The shot came from close range, but Ramaj didn’t look entirely happy because the ball hit the center.
Pieringer scores and ushers in a thrilling final phase
Heidenheim shook himself briefly, but then went forward again. With success: Schimmer cleared a high ball into the penalty area with his volley cross, Pieringer pushed the ball over the line to score.
Cellar duel, outnumbered lead, emerging opponents – the game now had a number of ingredients for an explosive final phase. Heidenheim played tirelessly forward, played his way out wide and brought in crosses. In contrast, the Hamburg team put up a defensive battle, celebrating won duels and clearances together with the home fans. Heidenheim’s efforts resulted in great chances for Patrick Mainka (82′), Mathias Honsak (89′) and Stefan Schimmer (90’+2), but the equalizer was no longer possible.
St. Pauli in Mainz, Heidenheim against Bayern
St. Pauli will be guests at FSV Mainz in the next basement duel on Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Heidenheim expects a contrasting program: On Sunday evening, the Schmidt-Elf will be visiting leaders Bayern Munich (5.30 p.m.).