London, Aug. 6 (BNA) – American striker Jordan Pivok scored on his debut in the German League to help Union Berlin beat Hertha Berlin 3-1 in their first league game of the season on Saturday.
Bivok, who also scored in his German Cup debut on Monday, opened the scoring on 31 to put Al Ittihad on track for a third straight win over their rival to retain the unofficial title of ‘Stadtmeister’ (City Champion).
Pefok joined the Swiss team Young Boys in the offseason and has already become a fan favorite. He was given a standing ovation with teammate Genki Haraguchi when they were both taken off late in the game, reports The Associated Press.
Sheraldo Becker and Robin Knoche also scored to ensure Hertha’s difficult start to the season continued after they were knocked out of the German Cup to second division Eintracht Braunschweig last weekend.
Hertha barely survived last season and new coach Sandro Schwartz faces a difficult task to restore the team’s confidence.
Nerves were run down outside before kick-off as road closures created traffic chaos around the Etihad stadium an der Alten Försterei. Most of the fans were already inside the grounds long before kick-off, but their backs persevered, upsetting motorists who had nothing to do with the match.
Al Ittihad made a great start and got two good chances early on before the visitors could recover. But the home team had to wait for Becker to cross for Pefok to take the opener.
The second half started with a cloud of blue smoke from the fireworks at the end of Herta. Seconds after the stadium announcer asked the visiting fans to stop, Al Ittihad fans followed suit with a cloud of red smoke at the other end.
Becker scored in the 50th minute after a fine combination with Yannick Haberer and the home fans celebrated again – belatedly – after a VAR check showed no offside when Knoshi headed into Christopher Tremmel’s corner in the 54th minute.
Dodi Lukbakio scored Hertha’s consolation in the 85th minute. Freiburg, who reached the cup final, beat Augsburg 4-0 away, Borussia Moenchengladbach beat visiting Hoffenheim 3-1, Wolfsburg tied with promoted Werder Bremen 2-2, and Mainz won 2-1 in Bochum.
insult