MD 02: SC HAMBURG 23 2 - 1 FK BELGRADE
Hamburg followed up their incredible victory against Zagreb with another one, versus a hard-fought Belgrade side.
Written by: Saad Maan, Forta Evening News
Two teams most people would associate with relegation, with two very different starts to their first season in the FSL ever, fight over the three points tonight. In a back-and-forth game, it was Hamburg who would strike first, or so they thought. Akiyama Hernandez, a former Zagreb striker, was sent through on goal. In a position of familiarity, the Hamburg fans were already celebrating. However, Hernandez sliced the effort as it struck the post. Following the miss, Belgrade would take charge of the match, putting Hamburg shot stopper Becky Blake to the test, almost scoring on multiple occasions as the goalkeeper did not look confident between the posts. In the 24th minute, a terrifying accident took place. As Deng Yousif charged at the ball, he collided with Hamburg's Schramm, leaving both players incapacitated for a couple of minutes. With the crowd dropping to their knees and praying to whatever god they hold dear, both players rose up from the ground like nothing had happened. Their prayers had been answered. Hamburg, with god on their side, escaped an early deficit as Belgrade's Adrian Diego did his best Hernandez impression by hitting the post. With half-time imminent, the scores remained 0-0. In the 58th minute of play, centre back Jacob Aqua played a hopeful long ball up to the Belgrade frontline. However, it was quickly intercepted by Dakota Scott. Oscar Piastri would then lay it off to Akiyama, charging at goal. Despite his earlier efforts being wayward, this time he made no mistake, giving Hamburg the lead with a powerful effort into the top left corner. Right from kick-off, Hamburg would win the ball back and launch it forward, with the Belgrade defence attempting to pull off the offside-trap, Akiyama took advantage of the situation as he was through on goal once more. Like his last chance, he dispatched it, doubling his own and Hamburg's goal tally. Belgrade, refusing to be seen as pushovers, tried to get one back, and so they did. In the 77th minute, Adrien Diego made up for his earlier mistakes as he played the ball to Tarvnier Hinski, who reduced Hamburg's lead to one. Sadly for the Serbians, that was all they could muster up. Hamburg's second victory in FSL has them sharing top spot with last season's champion Vienna.
