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1. FC Köln progressed to the second round of the DFB-Pokal after a 3:2 win over SV Sandhausen at the GP Stadion am Hardtwald. Julian Pauli and Linton Maina had given FC a deserved lead at half-time, only for Besar Halimi and Richard Meier to level for the hosts. The match looked to be ebbing towards penalties before Mathias Olesen headed home late on to secure a path into Round 2.
Team news
Sreto Ristic was forced into a solitary change following Sandhausen’s win over Saarbrücken. Christoph Ehlich replaced Jonas Weik, who tore his ACL in the game.
Gerhard Struber made three changes to the side that started against SV Elversberg. Dominique Heintz (bench), Eric Martel (suspended) and Dejan Ljubicic (knee problems) were replaced by Julian Pauli, Mathias Olesen and Luca Waldschmidt.
Ahead at the break
FC started the game with purpose and had a huge chance at the very beginning of proceedings. Linton Maina’s cross was deflected to the back post by Nikolai Rehnen, with Damion Downs’ effort blocked before the forward needed treatment for an awkward fall.
Struber’s side pilled on the pressure and, in the 20th minute, the opener finally arrived. Maina’s persistence paid dividends, as his corner was powerfully headed home at the near post by Julian Pauli. Despite the best efforts of Rehnen and the Sandhausen defence, the ball still managed to find a way over the line.
The hosts did bring two good saves from Jonas Urbig as a response to going behind, yet FC were able to increase their advantage in the 34th minute. After bedlam in the box, the ball fell for Mathias Olesen. He set perfectly for Maina to clatter the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards out. The bedlam in the box was then to be found in the overjoyed away end.
Despite further openings to extend the lead, it remained 2:0 as Benjamin Brand blew for half-time.
Sandhausen level late on
FC continued as they left off following the half-time break and had further chances to increase their lead. Damion Downs had two good openings in quick succession but was unable to find a way past Rehnen in the Sandhausen goal.
The hosts were then handed a way back into the game. A header caught Timo Hübers on the arm and Benjamin Brand did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Besar Halimi stepped up and sent Jonas Urbig the wrong way to halve the deficit.
Unlike in Elversberg, FC remained stable following the goal. That was until the 96th minute, where a long ball was shifted to Richard Meier by Dominic Baumann. FC failed to clear the danger and Meier was able to thrash the ball past the helpless Urbig to bring the game into extra-time.
Olesen with the winner
Extra-time saw FC with the majority of the chances once again. Sargis Adamyan’s low drive was shovelled off the goal-line, while Rasmus Carstensen’s curler from 20 yards crashed against the crossbar. Sandhausen had perhaps the best opportunity of all, however, as Jakob Lewald headed over an open goal from 12 yards out.
The game seemed set for penalties until the 116th minute. After pinball in the box, Dominique Heintz crossed for Olesen to rise highest and head home through the crowed penalty area. The path into second round was sealed and Gerhard Struber’s first win as head coach.
FC are next in action on Saturday, 24th August at 20:30 CEST. Eintracht Braunschweig are the visitors to the RheinEnergieSTADION.
Line-ups
SV Sandhausen (4-3-3): Rehnen – Stolze, Lorch (Girdvainis 95’), Lewald, Ehlich – Mühling (Wolf 63’), Schikora, Halimi (Greil 77’) – Otto (Meier 63’), Baumann, Iwe (Pink 89’).
1. FC Köln (4-2-2-2): Urbig – Thielmann, Hübers, Pauli (Heintz 101’), Pacarada (Carstensen 83’) – Huseinbasic, Olesen – Waldschmidt (Adamyan 61’), Maina – Lemperle (Dietz 83’), Downs (Tigges 73’).
Goals: 0:1, Pauli 21’. 0:2, Maina 34’. 1:2, Halimi (PEN) 59’. 2:2, Meier 90+6’. 2:3, Olesen 116’.
Referee: Benjamin Brand (Unterspiesheim).
Booked: Lorch (41’), Thielmann (66’), Iwe (70’), Adamyan (73’), Maina (75’), Meier (96’), Carstensen (97’), Greil (104’), Huseinbasic (118’).
Attendance: 9,705.