2nd league
Rostock (dpa) – FC St. Pauli has missed the leap back to the top of the 2nd Bundesliga. In the guest appearance at Hansa Rostock, the team of coach Timo Schultz had to admit defeat 0:1 (0:0).
The Kiezkicker, who were too harmless this time, suffered an unplanned setback in the fight for promotion. In front of 24,770 spectators in the sold-out Ostseestadion, in which a few seats were only free for safety reasons in the high-risk game, Nico Neidhart (59th minute) scored the goal for the first Hansa home win over the Kiezclub since 2008. During this after ten points from four games for the first time lost again, Hansa celebrated the fourth three in a row and should be free of all relegation worries.
Since the feared riots by the rival fan groups did not materialize before kick-off, the sporting event could begin. And how: after three minutes the ball was in the St. Pauli goal, but since John Verhoek fouled when he won the ball, Simon Rhein’s goal was conceded via video evidence. In the game, which was as explosive as it was highly emotional, both teams gave nothing. St. Pauli had more possession, Hansa the better chances. Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (10th/16th/40th) quickly prevented the lead of the compact home side, who gave Hamburg an open fight.
The home side took control after the change and were rewarded when Calogero Rizzuto’s cross was followed by Neidhart from a tight angle. A deserved lead because the guests didn’t find their game. Leart Paqarada created a real goal threat with a free kick (74′). Hansa defended well and survived St. Pauli’s final sprint.