VfL Wolfsburg defeated VSG Altglienicke in the DFB-Pokal after a 9:8 penalty shootout. The match finished 3-3 after 120 minutes, with two goals from Maximilian Arnold and one from Hauke Wahl deciding the outcome. The duel took place in Berlin, but not in the Spree Arena; instead it was held on the Hertha Amateurs’ pitch in front of the Olympiastadion, because the Spree Arena’s field length did not meet DFB infrastructure requirements. VSG Altglienicke, an amateur club, had home advantage in its second Pokal appearance, but could not use it. The stadium was thus effectively on the other side of Berlin.
Match Summary
VSG Altglienicke opened early with a 6th-minute goal by Jonas Nietfeld, who missed a high-level shot off the foot of Wolfsburg goalkeeper Jakub Zielinski. Two minutes later, Jonas Saliger scored the 7th-minute goal after Lennart Czyborra delivered the ball into the box. Wolfsburg responded with a 55th-minute goal from Maximilian Arnold, who hit the left inside post from 22 meters. In the 71st minute, Saliger again scored for VSG, bringing the score back to 2-1. Arnold levelled the match with an 83rd-minute free-kick, making it 2-2. In the 109th minute, Mehmet Ibrahimi converted a 3-2, before Hauke Wahl scored the 3-3 in the 117th minute.
Penalty Shoot-Out
After 120 minutes the score was 3-3. Zielinski saved two penalties from VSG, while the two from Arnold and Wahl for Wolfsburg were successful. The shoot-out finished 9-8 in favour of Wolfsburg.
Background and Outlook
VSG Altglienicke, backed by sponsors, aims for promotion to the 3rd League this year. The club has signed several players with Bundesliga and international experience, including former Wolfsburgers Tolga Cigerci, John Brooks, and Lennart Czyborra. After the Pokal match, VSG Altglienicke will play against Chemie Leipzig in the Regionalliga on Friday. Wolfsburg will face Karlsruher SC in the 2nd Bundesliga on Saturday.
