After two recent away wins, Viktoria Köln secured their first home win against Hansa Rostock on Friday evening with a 3-0 (1-0) victory and moved to the top of the 3rd division table for the time being.
Coach Olaf Jansen’s team got off to a dream start against Rostock, who are still winless after three match days. Perfectly positioned in the penalty area, Lex-Tyger Lobinger scored from a tight angle to make it 1-0 (5th minute). However, the 25-year-old was largely left alone by the Hansa defense, and Hansa keeper Max Hagemoser was caught cold at the near post.
Rostock on losing track after fatal mistakes
After Viktoria goalkeeper Dudu had defused a header from Franz Pfanne (7th minute) and Cologne had another dangerous shot on goal through Sidny Lopes Cabral (14th minute), the game became more balanced but also less dangerous. The guests had a slight advantage but did not pose a goal threat.
After the break, Rostock became more dangerous and had the chance to equalize through Jan Mejdr – his shot went just wide of the goal (60th minute). A few minutes later, however, the guests robbed themselves of all chances of points in Cologne due to fatal errors in defense.
International break until 15 September
First, captain Pfanne waited too long when he was played by goalkeeper Hagemoser in the penalty area. Bryan Henning ran at him aggressively and forced the ball to be lost, allowing Lobinger to come into play and score a brace from close range (65′). A little later, Hansa’s Alexander Rossipal headed the ball towards his own penalty area and served Serhat-Semih Güler, who had no trouble increasing the score to 3-0 for Cologne (69′).
The goal of the joker, who had just come on as a substitute, decided the match. Viktoria managed the lead confidently and went into the international break with a good feeling. They will continue in the 3. Liga only on 15 September with an away game at Alemannia Aachen.
