The semi-final second leg became a matter of the head for Mohamed Al Hosaini (red) and VfB Forstinning after the vociferous Dingolfing fan block (in the background) had created a home game atmosphere away from home. © Stefan Rossmann
VfB Forstinning fights its way through the final round of the Landesliga Südost against ASV Dachau with a 1-0 home win against FC Dingolfing.
Forstinning – VfB Forstinning has made it into the second and final round of the Landesliga relegation. In the second leg, the Forstinninger won 1-0 against the Lower Bavarian representative FC Dingolfing, after the district representative had already won the first leg with 2-1 goals. The visitors did not give up at any time, but for the second year in a row they have to cope with the missed promotion to the Landesliga in the relegation.
"Over the entire 180 minutes, the smarter team prevailed," said Dingolfing's outgoing coach Florian Baumgartl after his last game for the Blue and Whites. In Forstinning, too, the spectators celebrated a football festival, as in the first leg. 533 paying spectators created a great atmosphere, especially the Dingolfing fans, who arrived early with two buses, created a powerful and vocal atmosphere.
Hirt heads to take the lead, Heidfeld saves a penalty
Both teams relied on the same starting line-up as in the first leg, except for one position each, and the visitors initially came into the game better. A deflected long-range attempt slid around the post, the ensuing corner kick fizzled out. But with the first penalty area action, VfB Forstinning dampened the visitors' chants.
Needless to say, Mathias Hirt headed in a corner kick from Kenan Numanovic that was beautifully pulled into the five-metre area to make it 1-0. As in the first leg, Dingolfing could have equalised the early VfB lead again through Rinos Bajraktari. On the left side, the attacking player found himself finely played in front of the Forstinninger goal, but VfB goalkeeper Michael Heidfeld closed the short corner and provoked a failed attempt. In the ensuing period, the flow of the game took a time-out before Mohamed Al Hosaini tested guest keeper Boodan Hodoroaba from 17 meters (35th).
VfB now controlled the action without shining. In the second section, a scene finally provided the final plug pull for the Dingolfingers, who came out of the cabin with a swing. After a foul on himself, Rinos Bajraktari failed with a half-high kick to the long-stretched Michael Heidfeld (52nd).
When substitute Lukas Hochstetter was again denied by Heidfeld shortly afterwards, the game was finally heading for a VfB victory, despite further chances on both sides. VfB Forstinning will now face league rivals ASV Dachau at home in the first leg of the final round next Wednesday at 18:30 CET.
