Union Berlin avoid Bielefeld déjà vu with extra-time win

Union Berlin progressed to the Round of 16 in the DFB-Pokal courtesy of goals from center-backs in an extra-time win over Arminia Bielefeld.

Arminia Bielefeld knocked out Union Berlin in the same stage last season, and they clearly came to the capital city with a plan of another cupset. However, the hosts took the lead inside the first ten minutes from a familiar source.

Set-piece specialist Christopher Trimmel delivered an inviting free-kick from the right flank, and Leopold Querfeld climbed highest to score the opening goal. Steffen Baumgart’s team dominated the first-half, but they conceded a goal out of the blue in the 27th minute.

Monju Momuluh scored his second goal for the club, with the captain Mael Corboz providing the assist. Last season’s finalists even came close to the second goal through another ex-Hannover player, Noah Sarenren Bazee, before the half-time break.

Sarenren Bazee also hit the woodwork in the first clear-cut chance of the second-half. The hosts had an underwhelming half, but Danilho Doekhi nearly won it for them in the 90th minute before Jonas Kersken’s intervention.

In the first-half of extra-time, there were only half-chances at either end. However, Union Berlin took the lead in the 106th minute with a goalmouth scramble. After Kersken’s excellent save from Tom Rothe’s header, Bielefeld defenders failed to clear the danger. Doekhi used the opportunity to slot home with a powerful strike.

Kersken joined the attack for a couple of set-piece opportunities, but the hosts succeeded in seeing out the result. Exactly a year from last season’s second-round defeat in Bielefeld, Union Berlin booked a place in the Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory over Mitch Kniat’s side.