With great effort, Hansa Rostock prevented the early exit from the DFB Cup. At regional league club FSV Frankfurt, the leaders of the 2nd Bundesliga won 4-1 on penalties on Sunday (08/13/2023) after being 0-1 at the break.
The Frankfurt lead by Malik McLemore (29th) equalized Serhat-Semih Güler (84th) in the final phase. In the penalty shoot-out, Hansa goalkeeper Markus Kolke became the hero, parrying the first three shots by Frankfurt. Since the three shooters Jannik Bachmann, Alexander Rossipal and Güler safely converted in Rostock, the guests were able to celebrate the 3-0 penalty shootout and the entry into the 2nd round.
In doing so, Hansa avoided an embarrassment like in the previous year, when in round one against the regional league club VfB Lübeck the final stop.
McLemore’s Frankfurt tour lasts a long time
In a competitive game with few goals, the outsider from the Southwest Regionalliga never hid – and rewarded himself for it. Following a corner kick, McLemore shot in the Rostock penalty area. The first attempt was blocked. But the second found the way to 1:0 in the left corner.
With the lead behind them, Frankfurt stayed on their courageous course and didn’t get into trouble against a generally conservative Rostock team until the break. In round two, the guests from the Baltic Sea increased the pressure.
Güler provides relief for Rostock
Kai Pröger slipped into a cross (51′), but shoveled the ball right at FSV goalkeeper Justin Ospelt. In the following minutes, Frankfurt’s goalkeeper was the center of attention again and again, but could not be overcome. Rostock became more and more established in the Frankfurt half. A free-kick from Rossipal sailed from the right past the cluster of players in the penalty area and just wide of the left post (74′).
In the end, the constant pressure from the guests was worth it. After a rebound from the defense, Güler got the ball for Rostock in the FSV penalty area and shot in from close range to make it 1-1. In the extra time, the second division had the greater power reserves and the better approaches towards the goal. But a hit didn’t work.
Hansa goalkeeper Kolke always flies correctly
So the decision had to be made from the spot, and that’s where Rostock had the better goalkeeper and the better nerves. While all of the shooters at Hansa converted extremely safely, goalkeeper Kolke guessed the right corner every time and thus became the savior of the evening.
Rostock continues in the 2nd Bundesliga on Saturday (19.08.2023, 1 p.m.) with a home game against Hannover 96 in the Ostseestadion. FSV Frankfurt, who turned a 3-1 loss against TSV Schott Mainz into a 4-3 in a crazy regional league game with three added-time goals during the week, travels to TSG Balingen on Saturday.