As of: February 3, 2024 5:13 p.m
FC St. Pauli got rid of their cup frustration with a 3:2 (2:1) win in the top game of the second division against Greuther Fürth, who had previously been second in the table. Winger Elias Saad scored twice. With the victory, the team also set a second division record with their 25th unbeaten game in a row.
Four days after the bitter Coach Fabian Hürzeler’s team showed a strong reaction to the cup loss at home against Fortuna Düsseldorf. She played a dominant first half and showed enormous will and energy in the second half after Fürth’s equalizer.
The man of the game was Saad, who scored the lead (30th) and the winning goal (81st) for St. Pauli. Oladapo Afolayan (33rd) made it 2-0 for the Kiezkickers (33rd). Armindo Sieb (44th) and Simon Asta (60th) scored for the Franconians, who became more and more courageous as the game progressed.
Hürzeler: “I’m proud of the team”
“I’m proud of how the team reacted after the bitter cup exit and overall satisfied with the performance,” said St. Pauli coach Fabian Hürzeler to NDR. He learned a lot this week. “I made mistakes. But you can only grow as a person if you admit that to yourself and work on yourself to do better.”
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Double goalscorer Saad complained that the team was “no longer as grippy” at the end of the first and beginning of the second half. “But we also showed that we are always good for a goal.”
Coach Hürzeler is committed to St. Pauli
When asked about the pending contract extension at St. Pauli and the interest from other clubs, Hürzeler reacted annoyed, but at the same time made a commitment to the Kiezkickers. “I’ll say it again now: I have clearly told those responsible at the club that I want to stay here at St. Pauli,” said the 30-year-old. When asked whether this commitment applies to the 1st and 2nd leagues, he answered in the affirmative.
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The path to the Bundesliga seems possible for Hürzeler with the brown-whites. With the victory in the direct duel, the Kiezkickers distanced Fürth to seven points. The closest pursuer is Kiel with six points, Holstein played 1-1 in Magdeburg on Friday. City neighbors HSV could move up to five points with a win against Hertha BSC.
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St. Pauli misses the best chances in a row
Hürzeler relied on the same team as at 2-1 league win in Düsseldorf last Saturday and the Kiezkicker started with anger in their stomachs after the cup exit against the Rhinelanders. They created a number of best chances in the first half hour. But Hauke Wahl initially didn’t put enough pressure behind the ball (2nd) and Afolayan failed to hit the crossbar (3rd).
After St. Pauli’s goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj had defused a shot by Fürth’s striker Tim Lemperle (12th), a private duel developed between FCSP attacker Johannes Eggestein and “Kleeblatt” keeper Jonas Urbig: First Eggestein failed from a free-standing shot from ten meters (16th minute). ), then twice by the goalkeeper who reacted strongly (20th and 23rd).
Saad redeems the FCSP – firecrackers explode in front of the bank
A little later, however, the 20-year-old was beaten – and played a big part in it: Philipp Treu took the shot, Urbig let it rebound and Saad scored (30th). The much deserved and overdue leadership.
The great celebration was marred because a firecracker flew from the back straight in front of the league leader’s bench. A member of the support team had to be treated, the thrower was identified and taken away.
Afolayan increases, but Fürth stays there
After the short interruption, things continued – and 35 seconds after the restart, St. Pauli increased: An Afolayan shot deflected by Gideon Jung sank into the goal for Urbig (33′).
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The league leaders’ 45-minute demonstration of power had a blemish shortly before the break: SGF striker Sieb shot from the edge of the penalty area, and Vasilj didn’t look happy with his strong but central shot (44th).
Asta scores the equalizer
The guests pushed further forward after the break – and were rewarded for their increasingly courageous performance in the 60th minute: Branimir Hrgota released Asta with a fine pass on the right side, who powerfully placed the ball into the far corner from an acute angle.
The Hürzeler team was too passive and only slowly swam free again. Philipp Treu tested Urbig with a powerful shot (67th). A wake-up call, because Hamburg now brought a different energy to the pitch and shifted the game more and more into the guests’ half.
Saad lets the Millerntor celebrate
And the people of Hamburg rewarded themselves for their willpower. At first Saad failed with a direct pass to Urbig (80th), but a minute later he became a hero. Aljoscha Kemlein played strongly into the path of the winger, who shot coldly into the far corner. The happy ending in the top game for St. Pauli.
20th matchday, February 3rd, 2024 1:00 p.m
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