Leaders Darmstadt 98 have continued their impressive series of successes and still have their fourth promotion to the Bundesliga in mind. After the 1-0 (0-0) win at Hansa Rostock, coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team has been unbeaten for 20 second division games.
With the fourth win in a row, the lead over Hamburger SV grew to seven points, the gap to the relegation place is at least ten points until Sunday. Then the competitors HSV and 1. FC Heidenheim are in action.
Phillip Tietz (78′) scored the decisive goal for the Hessians with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area.
In front of 25,000 spectators in the Ostseestadion, the hosts, who are initially four points ahead of the relegation rank, were initially the better team. However, they were unable to convert their superiority into a goal in the first half. Darmstadt’s Mathias Honsak had the best chance just before the break (45+2).
The Austrian was also involved in the first excitement of the second half, after whose strong preliminary work Marvin Mehlem hit the crossbar (53rd). The guests were now more committed and determined to work – and after several top-class chances were rewarded with the well-deserved opening goal.