Bochum will remain in the first division next season after overcoming a three-goal deficit to beat second-division Fortuna Duesseldorf on penalties in the second leg of the relegation play-off on Monday.
Bochum had little hope after trailing 0-3 at home in the first leg but they bounced back to win the match thanks to a superb performance from out-of-contract midfielder Kevin Stöger, who assisted two goals and scored a penalty.
Bochum led 3-0 at the end of the game and after a goalless period of extra time the match went into a penalty shootout.
Andreas Luthe saved Düsseldorf’s first penalty before Florian Kastenmeyer saved Bochum’s penalty to send the home team into a shootout.
Players from both teams then converted penalties, with Uchino Takashi firing the seventh goal over the crossbar to ensure Bochum remained in the top flight for a fourth consecutive season.
“We were in a very good position and very close, which is why it hurts even more,” Duesseldorf sporting director Klaus Allofs said.
“We didn’t play well and I don’t know why. I have no idea.”
“It’s unbelievable, this is what wraps it all up as far as this season is concerned,” his Bochum colleague Patrick Fabian told Sky.
“I’m really proud of the boys.”
– Feeling confident –
The Bundesliga relegation playoffs consist of a home and away match between the team that finished third-bottom in the top division and the third-placed team in the second division.
Düsseldorf were unbeaten in the second division since February and were extremely confident of progressing after conceding three goals in the first leg.
Before the match, fans unveiled a giant tifo that simply read: “Fortuna Wins.”
Stöger, who spent two years with Duesseldorf, gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute, curling a free kick past Philipp Hofmann for a header.
The pair linked up again midway through the second half to put Bochum within striking distance of the home side, with Stöger crossing for Hoffmann to once again smash above Kastenmaier.
Just two minutes later, Stöger earned a penalty and sent a powerful cross that hit the outstretched arm of Matthias Zimmermann.
The Austrian calmly slotted home from 12 yards to put Bochum 3-0 up, tie the score and silence the shocked home fans.
With two minutes left in the game, Takuma Asano had a decisive chance to secure a win or a draw for Bochum, but he was unable to deliver a perfect cross with the goal in front of him.
With players from both teams already suffering from cramps, the match went into extra time, but it was a game of attrition with few chances.
In the 118th minute, Jona Niemiec had two consecutive shots blocked, sending the relegation game into a penalty shootout for just the second time in history and the first since 1988.
Bochum’s victory means the first division team has won all but three times since relegation play-offs were reintroduced in the 2008-09 season.
Drink driving/NF/EA
