Haching's president Manni Schwabl and Sandro Wagner have their sights set on the second leg in Unterhaching after the victory in Cottbus. © Imago/Matthias Koch/Steffen Beyer
First step to the 3rd league: SpVgg Unterhaching wins at Energie Cottbus. Sandro Wagner and Manni Schwabl were nevertheless cautious.
Cottbus – Unterhaching took the first step towards the 3rd league on Wednesday evening with the victory in Cottbus. Sandro Wagner's team narrowly won the relegation first leg 2-1 at the Stadion der Freundschaft.
Despite the important success, no one wanted to become euphoric among the suburbanites afterwards. "What should we celebrate now?" said President Manni Schwabl to Fußball Vorort immediately after the game. "Now half of the game has been played, that doesn't say anything at all."
First step towards the 3rd division? SpVgg Unterhaching wins at Energie Cottbus
Schwabl knows that relegation has its own laws. Nevertheless, he was satisfied with the team's performance in Cottbus. Against the champions of the Regionalliga Nordost, the match association made a dream start: After just under six minutes, the bell rang for the first time in the hosts' goal. A long ball from Haching's keeper Vollath slid into the energy penalty area. Skarlatidi's shot was initially blocked, but Anspach shot the rebound with the pick to take the acclaimed lead.
The response from Claus-Peter Wollitz's team was not long in coming: Hildebrandt converted a controversial hand penalty to equalize in the meantime. Afterwards, Sandro Wagner's team was called upon again.
First, top scorer Hobsch hit the crossbar with his head, but a little later the spell was broken again. Stiefler laid down unchallenged in the back area for Skarlatidis, who overcame keeper Bethke with a tight shot. Haching's striker Fetsch decisively faked the ball.
Sandro Wagner criticises preparation after Haching victory: "Something went wrong"
From then on, the Hachingers had to struggle physically with some problems, which also worried head coach Wagner. "It can't be that we get cramps from the 40th minute," he criticized afterwards at the press conference. "Something went very wrong in the preparation."
To the displeasure of the Cottbus fans, who reacted to the interruptions with whistling concerts. The almost 18,000 fans also provided a remarkable backdrop and cheered on their team until well after the final whistle.
Energie Cottbus: Cups thrown at Haching players – Schwabl: "Everything in the frame"
Meanwhile, the many cup throws in the direction of the Haching players were unsightly. "Everything is within reason," Schwabl said, however: "For something like today, even with the atmosphere, you do the whole thing."
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From a sporting point of view, the second half was a game of equals, with chances on both sides. Top scorer Hobsch in particular missed some unusually good opportunities to extend his own lead. After a little more than seven minutes of injury time, referee Gerach finally blew the final whistle.
Relegation to the 3rd league: Unterhaching welcomes Cottbus in front of a sold-out house
A good result for the second leg? By no means! "The result is ridiculous," commented outgoing coach Wagner. "If you get a place at home, it's balanced again." Celebrations are therefore prohibited for the Haching footballers for the time being. The complete focus is now on Sunday. They want to make the promotion to the 3rd league perfect in front of a sold-out crowd. (btfm)
