1. FC Köln have progressed to the second round of the DFB-Pokal thanks to a dramatic late comeback against SSV Jahn Regensburg. Benedikt Bauer had given the hosts the lead before Eric Martel and Ísak Jóhannesson struck in the 96th and 98th minute to turn the game around.
Team news
Michael Wimmer made four changes to the side that progressed against TSV Kornberg in the Landespokal Bayern on Wednesday evening. Nick Seidel, Philipp Müller, Noel Eichinger, Dustin Forkel were replaced by Felix Strauß, Robin Ziegele, Nicolas Oliveira and Lucas Hermes.
Lukas Kwasniok handed debuts to five new signings in his first competitive game as head coach. Ron-Robert Zieler captained the side on his return, with Cenk Özkacar, Sebastian Sebulonsen, Ísak Jóhannesson, Marius Bülter and Jakub Kamiński all earning a starting berth.
Goalless at the break
The first 20 minutes saw a game lacking in meaningful chances. Despite having seven corners early in the match, FC were able to create few opportunities of note. It was in the 20th minute where Cenk Özkacar saw his rasping half-volley blocked by a brave Regensburg body. Moments later, Marius Bülter fired over from 25 yards.
Regensburg came to life soon after and had the more dangerous moments in the first period. David Asante poked a corner just wide midway through the first-half before Lucas Hermes robbed Timo Hübers of the ball on the edge of the penalty area. Thankfully, Ísak Jóhannesson was able to hold him up before Ron-Robert Zieler saved.
Drama at the death
The second-half started slowly. FC were coming to more opportunities but were unable to test Felix Gebhardt in the Regensburg goal. In the 67th minute, however, the hosts’ stoic defending paid off. A quick counter and a switch of play allowed Benedikt Bauer to move inside and fire a swerving right-footed drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
In the space of seven minutes, Kwasniok had used all five subs and that began to swing the game FC’s way. Said El Mala was particularly bright on the left, combining well with Florian Kainz. However, just as the youngster looked set to level the scores, Felix Strauß was able to make a key block and deny him a debut goal.
Time continued to tick down as FC looked for a way through. In the 96th minute, that was the case. Jóhannesson picked out Ragnar Ache, who brilliantly controlled for Eric Martel to lash the ball home from 12 yards and send the travelling support barmy.
FC looked to have found the goal they needed, but Kwasniok’s side weren’t satisfied with extra-time. Kristoffer Lund found Ache in the box and, again, the striker managed to pick out a team-mate. This time it was a clever flicked header for Jóhannesson. He took the ball down as if he was playing in the park and slid into the back of the net. Cue scenes of wild joy and emotion in the FC end.
FC progressed to the next round of the DFB-Pokal thanks to the late double salvo. The draw will take place at the end of August. For now, the focus turns to the opening fixture of the new Bundesliga season. On Sunday 24th August, FC are visitors in the mewa Arena against 1. FSV Mainz 05. Kick-off is at 15:30 CEST.
Line-ups
SSV Jahn Regensburg (3-4-2-1): Gebhardt – Wurm, Strauß, Mätzler – Oliveira (Stolze 83‘), Geipl, Ziegle, Bauer – Asante (Forkel 74‘), Kühlwetter – Hermes (Eichinger 90‘).
1. FC Köln (3-4-2-1): Zieler – Schmied, Hübers, Cenk (Lund 68‘) – Sebulonsen, Jóhannesson, Martel, Maina (Thielmann 68‘) – Bülter (El Mala 75‘), Kamiński (Kainz 75‘) – Waldschmidt (Ache 75‘).
Goals: 1:0, Bauer 67‘. 1:1, Martel 90+6‘. 1:2, Jóhannesson 90+8‘.
Referee: Christian Dingert (Lebecksmühle).
Booked: Maina (30‘), Geipl (84‘), Martel (89‘), Strauß (90+3‘).
Attendance: 13,396.