VfB through to cup semis!

Highlights

Despite being the underdogs, the second-tier side took the game to VfB at the Holstein-Stadion right from the off and looked the likelier to score in the early stages.

Chances for Kiel

In the eighth minute, the VfB defence were unable to deal with Adrian Kapralik’s speed and it took an excellent save from Alex Nübel to tip his shot around the post. Four minutes later, Andu Yobel Kelati sent an effort from the edge of the box just over the bar.

Führich in on goal

Around the 20-minute mark, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side created their first chance, but the agile Chris Führich saw his side-footed shot from the edge of the area go just wide. Then after 25 minutes, a Führich cross found Deniz Undav seven metres out, but his header again failed to find the target.

Overall, Stuttgart failed to make any decent impression on the battling second-division side in the first half, and this was reflected in the 0-0 scoreline at the break.

Undav opens the scoring

Almost an hour in, the VfB fans who had made the trip finally had an opportunity to celebrate. From a Bilal El Khannouss free-kick, Atakan Karazor nodded the ball to Undav, who stabbed it home from close range.

Late goals seal the deal

Stuttgart then took control of the match and dominated the rest of the second half. Kiel did have a couple of decent chances which fell to Aldin Jakupovic (80’) and Phil Harres (88’), but goals from Führich in the 90^th minute and Karazor in the 93^rd minute ensured that VfB would make it through to the semi-finals of the DFB Cup.

Goals

57^th minute: An El Khannouss free-kick is helped on by Karazor to Undav, who forces the ball over the line from close range to make it 1-0.

90^th minute: A counter-attack ends with Führich rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.

93^rd minute: Atakan Karazor is played in by Demirovic in the box. A defender barges into him, but he manages to touch the ball into the back of the net as he goes to ground.