1899 Hoffenheim have fired their way into the DFB Cup quarter final thanks to some clinical finishing. The Bundesliga side struggled at times in their 2-0 win against the valiant second division side VfR Aalen, but eventually got a deserved win and are through to the last eight for the fifth time in six years. Despite twelve attempts, however, they have never made it to the semi finals.
Bayer Leverkusen had to wait until extra time before they could break the deadlock against second division side FC Kaiserslautern. Hakan Calhanoglu and Stefan Kießling scored the two goals. The Turkish international curled a freekick in the 102nd minute to make it 1-0, before Kießling finished it off eleven minutes later to make it 2-0. With the win, Leverkusen made up for last seasons embarrassing quarter final defeat when the Red Devils beat them 1-0 in the Bay Arena. It’s the 14th time Leverkusen have made the quarter final.
Polankski and Volland score for Hoffenheim
In Aalen it was Eugen Polanski and Kevin Volland who scored the goals to give them an indirect chance of a European debut next season. For Aalen, who reached the last 16 for the first time, there is the small matter of 2. Bundesliga survival to concentrate on now. The home side, who beat Bundesliga side Hannover 96 2-0 in the second round, stoked the atmosphere with a pre-match firework display behind the east stand. The fans in the Scholz Arena encouraged their team with banners and chants, and the courageous underdogs showed their grit and determination in their play. Polanski, however, spoiled it for the home fans with the first real chance when he pounced on Volland’s deflected squared pass.
In the second half, there was an almost derby like atmoshphere to the game with the two Baden-Württemberg rivals challenging hard to win every ball. Aalen continued to threaten and came very close to making it 1-1 through the speedy Phil Ofosu-Ayeh and Oliver Barth, but Hoffenheim went on to find the decisive second goal when Volland finished off a fine move from Schipplock.
The draw for the next round will take place on Sunday on ARD-Sportschau from 18:00 (CET). The quarter finals will take place on the 7th and 8th of April.
[mmc/JM]
1899 Hoffenheim have fired their way into the DFB Cup quarter final thanks to some clinical finishing. The Bundesliga side struggled at times in their 2-0 win against the valiant second division side VfR Aalen, but eventually got a deserved win and are through to the last eight for the fifth time in six years. Despite twelve attempts, however, they have never made it to the semi finals.
Bayer Leverkusen had to wait until extra time before they could break the deadlock against second division side FC Kaiserslautern. Hakan Calhanoglu and Stefan Kießling scored the two goals. The Turkish international curled a freekick in the 102nd minute to make it 1-0, before Kießling finished it off eleven minutes later to make it 2-0. With the win, Leverkusen made up for last seasons embarrassing quarter final defeat when the Red Devils beat them 1-0 in the Bay Arena. It’s the 14th time Leverkusen have made the quarter final.
Polankski and Volland score for Hoffenheim
In Aalen it was Eugen Polanski and Kevin Volland who scored the goals to give them an indirect chance of a European debut next season. For Aalen, who reached the last 16 for the first time, there is the small matter of 2. Bundesliga survival to concentrate on now. The home side, who beat Bundesliga side Hannover 96 2-0 in the second round, stoked the atmosphere with a pre-match firework display behind the east stand. The fans in the Scholz Arena encouraged their team with banners and chants, and the courageous underdogs showed their grit and determination in their play. Polanski, however, spoiled it for the home fans with the first real chance when he pounced on Volland’s deflected squared pass.
In the second half, there was an almost derby like atmoshphere to the game with the two Baden-Württemberg rivals challenging hard to win every ball. Aalen continued to threaten and came very close to making it 1-1 through the speedy Phil Ofosu-Ayeh and Oliver Barth, but Hoffenheim went on to find the decisive second goal when Volland finished off a fine move from Schipplock.
The draw for the next round will take place on Sunday on ARD-Sportschau from 18:00 (CET). The quarter finals will take place on the 7th and 8th of April.