Free kick makes the decision: Darmstadt’s series also holds against Rostock

Free kick makes the decision
Darmstadt’s series also holds against Rostock

Darmstadt 98 continues to have a firm eye on promotion. Even in the 20th game, the Hessians remain undefeated. SV striker Phillip Tietz scored the goal of the day against Rostock.

SV Darmstadt 98 has continued its impressive streak of success in the 2nd Bundesliga. The 1-0 (0-0) win at Hansa Rostock was the 20th unbeaten game in a row for the leaders from Hessen. With his eighth goal of the season in the 78th minute, Phillip Tietz secured victory for coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team, which is now ten points ahead of the relegation place.

Referee Alexander Sather interrupted the game for more than five minutes in the early stages because massive amounts of pyrotechnics were being burned off in the Rostock fan corner. After the smoke had cleared in the sold-out Ostseestadion with 25,200 spectators, the hosts looked for their chances. After a long ball from Ryan Malone, Svante Ingelsson penetrated the Darmstadt penalty area in the 22nd minute, but was separated from the ball fairly by a successful effort by Jannik Müller.

Kevin Schumacher missed Mecklenburg’s lead when his long-range shot went just wide of the goal (35′). The guests from Hesse had a hard time being the favorites. Only in the seven-minute overtime of the first half did the first dangerous situation arise. The strong Mathias Honsak found his master in the well-parried Hansa keeper Markus Kolke (45 + 2).

In the second half, the visitors gradually took control. After a Honsack preparation, Marvin Mehlem put the ball on the crossbar (54th). After that, Frank Ronstadt (56′, 72′), Tietz (63′, 70′) and Keanan Bennetts (73′) missed further good opportunities. With his outstanding free-kick hit from the edge of the penalty area, however, Tietz put the “lilies” on the road to victory.

source site-33