Hertha narrowly beat Dukla Prague 3-2

The Blue-Whites lined up on Friday evening (13th July) for their second friendly at their training camp in Neuruppin.

Hertha BSC have won their second friendly at their training camp. The Blue-Whites defeated FC Dukla Prague 3-2 on Friday evening (13th July). Vedad Ibisevic and Davie Selke scored in the first half before an own goal handed them the match. Coach Pál Dárdai brought on a fresh XI after 60 minutes.

The match kicked off late due to some heavy rain. Hertha came out of the blocks quickly as Vedad Ibisevic (5’) and Fabian Lustenberger (6’) had great chances early on. Rune Jarstein’s goal was also tested and the Hertha keeper was forced into a good save to keep out Jan Holenda (9’). After some great build-up play from Salomon Kalou on the left flank, Ibisevic fired the ball into the left corner to make it 1-0. The game was finely balanced after the breakthrough, but Salomon Kalou split the opposition defence once again and set up Selke, who made no mistake for 2-0 (38’). However, Dukla Prague responded straight away as David Doudera converted a cross to set the half-time score at 2-1 (40’).

Fresh XI after an hour

The Czechs equalised right after the restart through David Breda (48’). Shortly before the squad rotation, Ibisevic had another big chance, but his effort whistled past the post (61’). Hertha then regained the lead after Martin Chloumecky turned a heavy pass into his own net (72’). Dukla kept pressing, but couldn’t find a way through. Shortly before the final whistle, Maxim Pronichev had a great opportunity to make it 4-2, yet hit his shot straight at keeper Filip Rada (86’).

“Luckily the weather held until the end. It was a fair challenge for our players against a good opponent, who fought sternly yet fairly. It is important that all the players stay fit and keep up with the training programme”, said coach Pál Dárdai after the final whistle. Hertha have now played both the friendlies organised for the training camp and so the team can now commit 100 percent to their preparation for the coming season. From Saturday, they begin training twice per day.

Hertha line-up: Jarstein (45‘ Kraft) - Esswein (63‘ Covic), Friede (63‘ Stark), Torunarigha (63‘ Baak), Kade (63‘ Mittelstädt) - Dilrosun (63‘ Zografakis), Skjelbred (63’ Duda), Lustenberger (63’ Krebs), Kalou (63’ Kurt) - Selke (63’ Kiprit), Ibisevic (63’ Pronichev)

Goals: 1-0 Ibisevic (12’), 2-0 Selke (38’), 2-1 Doudera (40’), 2-2 Breda (48’), 3-2 Chlumecky (72’ o.g.)

Venue: Volksparkstadion, Neuruppin

Attendance: 750