By Paul Gorgas
Hertha LUCKt the final! In the last league game before the Winter World Cup in Qatar, Berlin defeated Cologne 2-0 – Kanga and Richter shot Hertha in front of 60,827 spectators from the bottom of the table!
For the club in the capital, the final of the year is a final against falling to a relegation zone and for the good mood. Thanks to the three, Hertha overwintered in 15th place – the team and fans cheered after the final whistle.
Goal scorer Marco Richter: “We were able to end the year on a positive note with the home win and celebrate again in the curve – a nice end to a very exciting year, also for our fans. Taking that together is extremely important.”
Colleague Jean-Paul Boetius is also happy: “We finally got our reward. We fought, we were gross and we didn’t make any stupid mistakes. We knew how important this game was. We said before the game that we want to give it our all again, also for the fans. All the better that we were able to give them three points. 15 games, 14 points – we want more.”
Wilfried Kanga has a clear path and heads the 1-0 win against Cologne Photo: City Press
Even before the kick-off, the pros prepare for the final mood in the Olympic Stadium: After warming up, the players swear to play with the fans in front of the east stand – and it works!
► 9 minutes: After a throw-in, Plattenhardt crosses to Kanga, who heads in to make it 1-0. It’s Kanga’s second goal of the season, storming back into the starting XI after two games.
On the other hand, Hertha has a big dizzy spell for the first time: After the submission of the native of Berlin Maina, FC striker Adamyan chases the ball over the empty goal from three meters (15th minute). Then Maina shoots freely in front of Christensen (25th minute).
Banner in the east curve: Hertha fans call for a boycott of the World Cup in Qatar Photo: Soren Stache/dpa
The luck that Hertha has lacked so often in recent weeks is on the side of the Black Elf this time.
Keeper Oliver Christensen, who keeps the zero at home for the first time: “It’s a good feeling. But what is even more important are the three points. Of course we have a bit of luck.”
Plattehardt, on the other hand, is unlucky: In the 23rd minute, the captain can’t go any further after a pass, his right thigh is immediately bandaged on the bench – an adductor injury. Mittelstadt comes into play for him.
Hertha is the happier team in the second half as well – because Cologne are helping again.
Marco Richter and his celebration of the goal to 2-0 against Cologne Photo: City Press
► 54 minutes: The strong Lukebakio dribbles unhindered into the penalty area from the left, his cross is blocked by keeper Schwäbe right at Richter’s feet, who scores to make it 2-0. It is Richter’s first goal after eight games without a goal.
Richter: “It is extremely important to leave here with a positive feeling. But in the second half of the season we need to get more points. I don’t feel like messing around down there. We don’t belong there anymore.”
If Hertha follows up on the Cologne game in the new year, that too will be a success!
