Augsburg 1 : 0 Hertha BSC Berlin - Augsburg edge out Hertha
Posted Monday, September 29, 2014 by PA
Augsburg got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin to make it an unhappy return to the SGL arena for the capital club's coach Jos Luhukay.
Luhukay, who guided Augsburg into the Bundesliga three years ago, watched Hertha make a decent start but lose following a penalty from captain Paul Verhaegh.
The visitors ended the game brightly too, but could not find an equaliser as the Bavarians held on to pull move to within a point of fourth-placed Hoffenheim.
Salomon Kalou scored his first goal in the Bundesliga in midweek and the former Chelsea man went agonisingly close to adding a second as Hertha came out of the blocks quickly.
He may have been a little selfish, but the Ivory Coast international had every right to go for goal himself, despite a tight angle, with Marwin Hitz doing well to tip the ball over.
Augsburg simply could not find a foothold in the game until they were gifted one in the 26th minute.
Hertha goalkeeper Thomas Kraft was adjudged to have fouled Raul Bobadilla inside the penalty area, although the Swiss forward made the most of the slightest of contact there was between the two players.
Verhaegh stepped up to the spot, sending Kraft the wrong way to score the only goal of the game.
A minute later Bobadilla had the chance to add a second on the volley, but he made the worst possible of contacts with the ball at the far post.
Nikola Djurdijic then missed Augsburg's next best chance in the home side's best spell of the game before the break.
Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl probably told his team he wanted them to preserve their lead, given their more defensive approach to the second half.
It was almost asking for trouble when the Augsburg defence invited Hertha forward with Kalou a menace.
He went close twice to grabbing an equaliser, but the ranks of Augsburg shirts held firm for their third win of the season.
Photos
More»
Meet Eva Murati, the glamorous UCL presenter
Friday April 26 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Brighton 0 - 4 Manchester City
Friday April 26 2024
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
Your Say