FC St. Pauli kept its theoretical chance of the relegation place in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Coach Fabian Hürzeler’s team beat Holstein Kiel 4-3 (1-1) and reduced the gap to city rivals Hamburger SV to three points. Should HSV not lose against SpVgg Greuther Fürth on Saturday (8:30 p.m. / Sky and Sport1), third place would no longer be possible for St. Pauli.
The guests were initially behind after a penalty converted by Steven Skrzybski (28′), but Oladapo Afolayan (39′) equalized before the break. An own goal by Hauke Wahl (53′) put St. Pauli on the road to victory, Lukas Daschner (61′) and Leart Paqarada (74′) increased. Marco Komenda (78th) and Fabian Reese (90th + 3) shortened for the storks.
Kiel was the better team in the first half. Skrzybski converted the penalty safely after goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj fouled Fin Bartels. Hamburg equalized with their first good opportunity.
After the change, Vasilj saved St. Pauli from falling behind with a save against Reese (47th). Then Wahl headed a sharp cross into his own net. Daschner used an assist from Afolayan and Paqarada followed up before Komenda scored for Kiel.
Goalscorer Afolayan saw the yellow-red card shortly before the end (88th) because he returned to the field after treatment without permission. Reese made it exciting again in stoppage time.