Hertha veteran Vladimir Darida shoots a penalty against Grazer AK in the match for third place Photo: Jan-Philipp Burmann/City-Press GmbH
From BZ/dpa
One day after the 6-7 penalty shoot-out defeat against third division club 1860 Munich, Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz’s team won 3-2 on penalties against Austrian second division club Grazer AK on Sunday.
Hertha BSC finished the Wörthersee Cup in third place. After 90 minutes it was 1: 1 (0: 1).
Hertha started very actively and created a few opportunities. Above all, Wilfried Kanga often failed because of the Graz goalkeeper Christoph Non.
The lead for Graz was all the more surprising. Michael Liendl (29th minute), known in Germany as a player for Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1860 Munich, hit the corner with a directly converted free kick from around 18 meters.
In the second half, coach Schwarz made seven changes, helping goalkeeper Leon Cuk make his professional debut. Hertha again started very energetically, but an often imprecise passing game prevented possible chances.
Keeper Leon Cuk made his professional debut in the Hertha box Photo: Jan-Philipp Burmann/City Press
In the 62nd minute, Scherhant, who came on at half-time, rewarded a corner from the busy Chidera Ejuke with an equalizer. Scherhant had the second Berlin goal on his head a minute before the end of regulation time.
But again the penalty shoot-out had to decide. There, debutant Cuk saved Liendl’s penalty, Vladimir Darida converted it to decide.