Augsburg come from behind to beat Hamburg
Augsburg - A second-half comeback ensured FC Augsburg made it five consecutive home wins with a 3-1 victory over a battling Hamburger SV.
Augsburg's stars shine
Although Rafael van der Vaart put the visitors ahead against the run of play before the interval, second-half strikes from Halil Altintop, Raul Bobadilla and Paul Verhaegh gave the hosts all three points.
Full of confidence after a vital derby win over SV Werder Bremen on Matchday 12, Hamburger SV pressed high early on and Artjoms Rudnevs should have done better with a 12th-minute header. The hosts, however, found their way into proceedings, Raul Bobadilla engaging in a duel with HSV keeper Jaroslav Drobny and forcing the custodian into several good saves. As Augsburg ramped up the pressure Tobias Werner volleyed over in the 36th minute, but it was Hamburg who opened the scoring with their first shot since Rudnevs’ early effort. A lovely move carved open die Fuggerstädter’s defence, and van der Vaart applied a cool finish to break the deadlock.
With only one loss at the SGL Arena this season, Augsburg weren’t going down without a fight, and within five minutes of the restart they were level. Altintop was quickest to react after Hamburg failed to clear, firing home from close-range. Markus Weinzierl’s side turned the game on its head in the 62nd minute, Bobadilla finally overcoming Drobny after excellent work from Abdul Rahman Baba on the left flank. The hosts’ victory was sealed when Verhaegh netted his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot, and although Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker was forced to clear off the line with ten minutes remaining, Augsburg’s impressive second-half display ensured the win.
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