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HSV - HSV dramatically ended Schalke’s fine
unbeaten run in front of a capacity crowd in the AOL Arena on Saturday
afternoon, as HSV won their round 11 Bundesliga clash 1-0. The only goal of
the game was scored by Mehdi Mahdavikia, who was playing at right back! The
little Iranian’s strike was enough to beat the visiting side that looked
extremely nervous following their midweek 0-6 drubbing in the cup away to
Frankfurt.
Trochowski on fire!
Perfect conditions greeted the teams as they took to the feld in the sold
out AOL-Arena on Saturday afternoon, as unbeaten Schalke came to town to
lock horns with HSV. The start of the game had the huge crowd on their
seats, as Piotr Trochowski (in the side for the suspended Dutch master van
der Vaart), fired in no less than 3 long range efforts in as many minutes.
Rafinha cleared off the line as Atouba threatened after Schalke’s keeper
Rost had misjudged a corner.
Shell shocked Schalke
HSV continued to dominate the side which lost a midweek cup match 0-6 in
Frankfurt in midweek. It was plain to see that that heavy defeat had left
scars on the visiting side, which made a sluggish start to the game. The
nerves of coach Ralf Rangnick’s side were frayed and the fabulous AOL Arena
atmosphere didn’t help their cause either.
Mehdi on the mark
Mehdi Mahdavikia started the game at right back in place of the injured and
suspended Guy Demel. The Iranian striker has played in that position many
times for his country. The inclusion of Mahdavikia was a move which paid off
for coach Thomas Doll after 19 minutes. After a corner, Barbarez provided a
superb quick ball into the Schalke area. The visiting defence failed to
clear, and Mahdavikia unleashed an unstoppable volley from 10 metres out to
give HSV the lead! It was Mehdi’s 3rd goal of the season.
Harmless visitors
HSV took their foot off the gas and allowed the visiting side plenty of
possession, which they didn’t take advantage of. Danish striker Larsen had a
half chance, blasting well over from 15 metres out. Schalke improved
somewhat the longer the first half went on. A cross by Altintop was headed
just over by Kuranyi on 37 minutes. Shortly afterwards the German
international striker went close again as he lobbed just over after a
defensive mix up involving Stefan Wächter and skipper Daniel van Buyten. The
final of the half came as Stefan Beinlich curled a superb free kick onto the
crossbar. HSV deserved their one goal lead at the break.
HSV on top
HSV started the second half as they had done the first. Strangely though,
the home side stepped back and allowed the visitors more possession once
again while waiting for a chance to counter attack. One of those attacks saw
Mpenza set up Jarolim, who almost scored with a header which went
agonisingly wide on 57 minutes.
Poulsen off!
On 61 minutes, Schalke’s Dane Poulsen was sent off for a body check on
Abouda. The Dane had already been booked during the first half, so the
referee had no choice but to give him his marching orders. HSV didn’t change
their tactics. Even with a man advantage they stood back and let Schalke
play. The visitors however, were visibly nervous and rarely threatened the
home goal. A minute from time, van Buyten could have put Schalke out of
their misery, but the man-mountain defender put his shot just wide of Rost’s
goal. Schalke just gave up and HSV easily handed Schalke their first defeat
of the Bundesliga season.
Match details:
HSV: Wächter - Mahdavikia, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Atouba - Wicky - Jarolim,
Trochowski, Beinlich - Mpenza, Barbarez
Schalke: F. Rost - Rafinha, Bordon, Rodriguez, Krstajic - Poulsen - Hamit
Altintop, Kobiashvili - Lincoln - Kuranyi, Larsen -
Goals: 1:0 Mahdavikia (19.)
Referee: Fandel
Attendance: 55,800 (Sold out)
Yellow/red card: Poulsen (62.)
Yellow cards: Beinlich, Barbarez - Krstajic, Hamit Altintop, Kuranyi
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