Bundesliga
Arminia Bielefeld climbed out of the bottom three for the first time since mid-November thanks to Reinhold Yabo’s goal in a narrow 1-0 triumph at home to Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Bielefeld 1-0 Hertha Berlin
Goals: 1-0 Yabo (64')
With both teams too close to the relegation zone for comfort at kick-off, caution was the buzzword for most of the first half as the sides opted for safety first tactics. There was little goalmouth action for the majority, although Bielefeld were awarded a penalty after Fabian Klos went to ground following a tackle by Hertha's Niklas Stark on 34 minutes, but referee Guido Winkmann overturned his initial decision after checking the pitch-side monitor. Maximilian Mittelstädt had the first real effort on goal of the game shortly afterwards, but his stinging drive was well saved by Stefan Ortega. Klos went closest for the visitors at the other end, but his header from eight yards flew over the bar.
The second period was far less cagey and it was Bielefeld, in 16th place and arguably in more urgent need of the points, who began to take control. Ritsu Doan showed great skill and determination to wriggle past two Hertha defenders on the right before unleashing a rasping drive that Alexander Schlowlow did well to tip over. The visiting goalkeeper was powerless to keep out Reinhold Yabo’s shot midway through the half though, the striker rolling his marker following a throw-in on the right before lashing a shot high into the net. Doan almost doubled Bielefeld’s lead five minutes later, dribbling forward from midfield and curling a low shot onto the base of the post. Hertha brought on Krzysztof Piatek in a bid to force and equaliser and the Poland international did have the ball in the net in the closing stages, but it was ruled out for handball, allowing the hosts to celebrate their much-needed fourth Bundesliga win of the season at the final whistle.
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Bielefeld: Ortega - Brunner, Pieper, Nilsson, Laursen (Lucoqui 76') - Doan (Maier 90+4), Kunze, Hartel (Soukou 90'+4), Yabo (Gebauer 87') - Cordova (Schipplock 76'), Klos (c)
Unused subs: Linner, Van der Hoorn, de Medina, Seufert
Out: Voglsammer (fitness)
Coach: Uwe Neuhaus
Hertha: Schwolow - Pekarik (Zeefuik 72'), Stark (c), Alderete, Plattenhardt (Ngankam 46', Piatek 64') - Tousart, Guendouzi - Lukebakio, Darida (Netz 72'), Mittelstädt - Cordoba
Unused subs: Jarstein, Klünter, Ascacibar, Torunarigha, Redan
Out: Boyata (foot), Cunha (groin), Dilrosun (knee), Leckie (abdominal), Löwen (thigh)
Coach: Bruno Labbadia