Arminia Bielefeld has landed an important away win in overtime in the fight to stay in the second Bundesliga. The superior team of coach Uwe Koschinat came to a 2-1 (1-0) win at 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday. Janni-Luca Serra scored the winning goal with a header in the 98th minute in a thrilling final phase.
In the 88th minute, Bielefeld had to accept the equalizer from Joker Lex Tyger Lobinger. After 32 games, the East Westphalia are only two points behind the relegation place with 1. FC Nürnberg. Jomaine Consbruch (15th) gave FCK the lead after a header from Fabian Klos in front of 41,362 spectators in the Fritz Walter Stadium.
Bielefeld created a multitude of goal opportunities. Kaiserslautern only came into play better in the final phase of the first half and had a great chance to equalize with a header from Philipp Hercher in the 40th minute, but Bielefeld goalkeeper Martin Fraisl was able to parry. After the restart, FCK put the pressure on and pushed Bielefeld into their own half. Terrence Boyd failed from close range in the 66th minute by the outstanding Fraisl before Arminia prevailed in the turbulent final minutes.
No winner at game in Fürth
The game association Greuther Fürth missed the last step to remain in the class in the home game against fellow competitor Eintracht Braunschweig. After the 2: 2 (1: 1), the Franconians are still closer to staying in the class than the twice leading climber from Lower Saxony. With two games to go before the end of the season, Fürth has 38 points, a five-point lead over the relegation spot that Arminia Bielefeld (33 points) occupies after a spectacular last-minute win in Kaiserslautern. Braunschweig has 36 points on the account.
The enthusiastic and efficient Julian Green equalized twice for the hosts in an entertaining game in front of 11,430 in the Fürth Ronhof. In the 1-1, the American hit his head after a cross from Lukas Petkov (23rd minute). He made it 2-2 with an untenable shot from 16 meters into the right corner (54′). Braunschweig were always dangerous and led through their attackers Anthony Ujah (10th) and Immanuel Pherai (47th), who also prepared the first goal on the right side. Both teams played to win, but the draw was fair in the end.
Holstein Kiel ended the negative series. In the sportingly meaningless game against Karlsruher SC, the North Germans came 2-1 (1-0) after three defeats. In front of 11,366 spectators Steven Skrzybski (17th) scored a penalty kick and Finn Porath (69th) for Kiel, Leon Jensen (74th) scored the goal for KSC. The whereabouts of the two teams had already been determined before the game.
The Kiel team tried to make things up after three 0:3 bankruptcies. They had more possession from the start and were rewarded early: Skrzybski was fouled by KSC defender Christoph Kobald in the penalty area and converted the penalty himself. For a long time, the Karlsruhe team couldn’t think of anything. Only in the second period did the game become more balanced. After an hour both coaches changed several times. Kiel’s Rapp was quickly lucky with his measure: Substitute Porath scored after a pass from Benedikt Pichler, who was also substituted. After Jensen’s goal, KSC pushed harder for an equaliser, but without success.
