Teams | February 8, 2013 at 11:59 AM
5-1: Hertha cruise in Regensburg
5-1: Hertha cruise in Regensburg
Hertha began 2013 with a real bang.
Hertha were on their travels for the first game since the winter break. Coach Jos Luhukay and his team made the long trip to Bavaria, where bottom placed side Jahn Regensburg awaited them on Bundesliga 2 matchday 20. After a dull opening 45 minutes, Hertha turned on the style and easily won 5-1 in front of 10,212 at the Städtisches Jahnstadion on Sunday afternoon (03.02.13).
Luhukay was true to his word about not yet playing Levan Kobiashvili, Änis Ben-Hatira, Peter Pekarik or Nico Schulz and Christoph Janker after long absences though suspension and injury. They remained in Berlin because all are short of match practise. Injured skipper Peter Niemeyer was replaced by Czech defender Roman Hubnik in front of the back four. Fabian Holland got the nod at left back ahead of Felix Bastians. Across the halfway line there were two familiar faces in the Regensburg line-up: those of former Hertha players Marco Djuricin and Timo Ochs, who were both picked to play by Jahn's new coach Franz Smuda.
Dull opening half
Both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game early on. Hertha had more possession, but the long balls they pumped forward lacked accuracy at first. Regensburg used their wingers but failed to threaten the goal being kept by Thomas Kraft. The first real chance of the game came on 22 minutes as Ronny crossed to unmarked Adrian Ramos. The Columbian forward failed reach the ball by a mere whisker.
Then Hubnik aimed a shot from around 25 metres too high (29.). Marcel Ndjeng found Ramos with a well-flighted ball, but his header landed safely in the arms of home keeper Ochs (38.). Just before the break Djuricin had Regensburg's first shot on goal. His effort was no trouble for Kraft. The game was goalless as the opening half ended.
Double whammy sets Hertha up perfectly
Both teams created early scoring chances in the second half. Firstly Francky Sembolo fired a shot into the side netting (47.). Moments later Ramos sent a shot agonisingly wide of the far post following good approach work from Ronny (48.). Ramos was not to be denied though and he finally got his just rewards for his efforts as he headed a corner by Ronny into the net via the inside of a post (52.). Hertha scored again only three minutes later. Kluge was felled by Christian Rahn inside the Regensburg area. Match referee Guido Winkmann pointed to the penalty spot and Ronny dispatched the ball into the back of the net for his tenth goal of the season (55.).
The home side tried hard and Djuricin was played nicely into space, but the former Hertha man needed too much time to get an accurate shot in and a promising chance was missed (63.). The visitors struck again as a floated free kick found substitute Sandro Wagner who had replaced Ben Sahar. Wagner nodded the ball past Ochs for Hertha's third goal (68.). Ronny had a good chance a few minutes later, but Ochs denied the Brazilian by grabbing the ball at the second attempt (76.). Hertha let their guard down on 78 minutes which allowed Regensburg substitute Dennis-Denso Weidlich to pull a goal back for the home side.
Warming up for the derby
The visitors restored their three goal lead five minutes from full time as Ramos fed Ronny, who blasted the ball home from the left side of the box to complete his brace. Hertha's fifth and final goal was a bit odd as an attempted clearance by Jahn's Kamavuaka struck Berlin substitute Marvin Knoll and flew into the net (90.).
Matchday 21 is the game all Hertha fans have been waiting for. On Monday evening (11.02.13, kick off 20.15 CET, broadcast live on Sport1 TV), Hertha entertain cross-town rivals Union Berlin under the floodlights at the Olympic stadium. One player certain to miss out is Fabian Holland, who will be kicking himself for picking up a fifth booking in Regensburg which means he is suspended for the derby clash.
Luhukay was true to his word about not yet playing Levan Kobiashvili, Änis Ben-Hatira, Peter Pekarik or Nico Schulz and Christoph Janker after long absences though suspension and injury. They remained in Berlin because all are short of match practise. Injured skipper Peter Niemeyer was replaced by Czech defender Roman Hubnik in front of the back four. Fabian Holland got the nod at left back ahead of Felix Bastians. Across the halfway line there were two familiar faces in the Regensburg line-up: those of former Hertha players Marco Djuricin and Timo Ochs, who were both picked to play by Jahn's new coach Franz Smuda.
Dull opening half
Both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game early on. Hertha had more possession, but the long balls they pumped forward lacked accuracy at first. Regensburg used their wingers but failed to threaten the goal being kept by Thomas Kraft. The first real chance of the game came on 22 minutes as Ronny crossed to unmarked Adrian Ramos. The Columbian forward failed reach the ball by a mere whisker.
Then Hubnik aimed a shot from around 25 metres too high (29.). Marcel Ndjeng found Ramos with a well-flighted ball, but his header landed safely in the arms of home keeper Ochs (38.). Just before the break Djuricin had Regensburg's first shot on goal. His effort was no trouble for Kraft. The game was goalless as the opening half ended.
Double whammy sets Hertha up perfectly
Both teams created early scoring chances in the second half. Firstly Francky Sembolo fired a shot into the side netting (47.). Moments later Ramos sent a shot agonisingly wide of the far post following good approach work from Ronny (48.). Ramos was not to be denied though and he finally got his just rewards for his efforts as he headed a corner by Ronny into the net via the inside of a post (52.). Hertha scored again only three minutes later. Kluge was felled by Christian Rahn inside the Regensburg area. Match referee Guido Winkmann pointed to the penalty spot and Ronny dispatched the ball into the back of the net for his tenth goal of the season (55.).
The home side tried hard and Djuricin was played nicely into space, but the former Hertha man needed too much time to get an accurate shot in and a promising chance was missed (63.). The visitors struck again as a floated free kick found substitute Sandro Wagner who had replaced Ben Sahar. Wagner nodded the ball past Ochs for Hertha's third goal (68.). Ronny had a good chance a few minutes later, but Ochs denied the Brazilian by grabbing the ball at the second attempt (76.). Hertha let their guard down on 78 minutes which allowed Regensburg substitute Dennis-Denso Weidlich to pull a goal back for the home side.
Warming up for the derby
The visitors restored their three goal lead five minutes from full time as Ramos fed Ronny, who blasted the ball home from the left side of the box to complete his brace. Hertha's fifth and final goal was a bit odd as an attempted clearance by Jahn's Kamavuaka struck Berlin substitute Marvin Knoll and flew into the net (90.).
Matchday 21 is the game all Hertha fans have been waiting for. On Monday evening (11.02.13, kick off 20.15 CET, broadcast live on Sport1 TV), Hertha entertain cross-town rivals Union Berlin under the floodlights at the Olympic stadium. One player certain to miss out is Fabian Holland, who will be kicking himself for picking up a fifth booking in Regensburg which means he is suspended for the derby clash.