Halil Altintop (l.) scored his first Bundesliga brace since 2008 as Augsburg beat Hoffenheim 2-0 at the SGL Arena
Halil Altintop (l.) scored his first Bundesliga brace since 2008 as Augsburg beat Hoffenheim 2-0 at the SGL Arena

Altintop brace makes it a day to remember for Augsburg

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Augsburg - FC Augsburg's Halil Altintop made it a day to remember as his brace took the Bavarians to a 2-0 success overvisitors 1899 Hoffenheim.

Altintop marks his special day

Altintop struck an early brace to render Hoffenheim's second-half efforts futile, although the hosts weren't without their scares.

Augsburg veteran Altintop, who has appeared in every game this season, celebrated becoming the Bundesliga’s joint-most capped Turkish international with his fiftieth top-flight goal to open the scoring. After a close-range drive was poorly parried by Koen Casteels in the Hoffenheim goal, Altintop was quickest to react, hammering home with his left foot in the 17th minute to give the hosts first blood in an initially end-to-end encounter.

Augsburg did then take control, crowning their dominance six minutes later as Altintop completed a brace after superb work down the right-hand side from captain Paul Verhaegh. The Bavarians were, however, clearly perturbed by Anthony Modeste’s physicality. The Frenchman led his side’s response, shooting at Marwin Hitz, whose blushes were spared by an excellent goal-line clearance from Ragnar Klavan.

Hoffenheim fail in front of goal


Modeste was quietened repeatedly by Klavan after the resumption of proceedings, the action occurring in front of Casteels’ goal. Promising Polish youngster Arkadiusz Malik threatened from distance, and several Kevin Volland corners were cleared comfortably by Klavan, Verhaegh and their fellow defenders. Hoffenheim substitute Kai Herdling came closest to breaking Augsburg’s bulwark, but Hitz dealt with his shot easily.

Hoffenheim were looking as toothless in front of goal as Augsburg were looking comfortably in control, Daniel Baier and Kevin Vogt producing strikes from distance in failed efforts to increase the lead. As it was, Hoffenheim had to reflect on the first game all season in which they had failed to score, and Augsburg, thanks to Altintop, on three well-deserved points.

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