Doekhi double sees Union stun Hoffenheim

Union Berlin 3-1 Hoffenheim
Goals: 0-1 Bebou 43' (assist: Skov), 1-1 Doekhi 73' (assist: Trimmel), 2-1 Doekhi 89' (assist: Trimmel), 3-1 Leweling 90'+6 (assist: Öztunali)

Having won just once in their previous nine encounters, Hoffenheim's necessity for three points was evident in Andre Breitenreiter’s side’s strong opening at the Alte Försterei. Given the honour of becoming the club’s youngest-ever starter in the Bundesliga, attacker Tom Bischof missed a superb opportunity to mark the occasion in style, the 17-year-old thumping wide when set up by Angelino. Union impressed in several friendly encounters in the lead up to this Matchday 16 game and the capital side had a brilliant chance to hit the front from the penalty spot when Ihlas Bebou needlessly handled Niko Gießelmann’s set piece into the area. Enduring a barren run in front of goal of late, striker Jordan’s travails would continue, with the forward sending his spot kick against the base of the post and wide. Bebou and Hoffenheim took heart and later struck on a well-worked counter-attack which ended with Robert Skov feeding the Togo international, who slammed in at the near post.

Union were in need of a spark after the restart and Genki Haraguchi provided it. As the snow fell on the German capital, the lively Japan attacker menaced inside the visitors’ area with Robin Knoche and then Janik Haberer failing to take advantage of Haraguchi’s selfless play. Still Union pressed forward and when Christopher Trimmel found himself with time and space on the right, the home fans rose to their feet. Disappointment followed, however, with the Union captain blasting over. When goalkeeper Oliver Baumann then magnificently clawed away Gießelmann’s goal-bound header, it appeared to be drifting towards one of those days for Urs Fischer’s side. Not so. From the subsequent corner, Danilho Doekhi connected with Trimmel’s cross to angle in an equaliser. As the game ticked down, the pair combined again to produce a stunning second for Die Eisernen, who were celebrating their rise to provisional third in the standings when Leweling broke away with a third goal in injury time.

• Doekhi's only previous Bundesliga goal this season also came via a header in the 2-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 12.
• The Berlin club have scored more headed goals (10) than any other club in the Bundesliga this season.
• Prior to this game, Bebou last found the net with a double in a 3-1 win against Augsburg on 8 January 2022.
• Union have been awarded five penalties this season, more than any other team.
• Jordan has now missed two penalties in the Bundesliga this season. He previously spurned a chance from the spot against Cologne on Matchday 6. The American has three Bundesliga goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances, but hasn't scored in eight games.
• At 17 years and 207 days, Tom Bischof became Hoffenheim's youngest-ever starter in the Bundesliga.

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Watch: Doekhi "really happy" after brace

Union: Ronnow - Jaeckel, Knoche, Doekhi - Trimmel (c), Haraguchi (Seguin 63'), Khedira, Haberer (Öztunali 88'), Gießelmann - Becker (Leweling 88'), Jordan (Behrens 63')
Unused subs: Grill, Baumgartl, Kemlein, Pantovic, Skarke
Out: Leite (suspended), Michel (ill), Roussillon (match fitness), Schäfer (foot), Thorsby (operation)
Coach: Urs Fischer

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Akpoguma (Kaderabek 42'), Kabak, Nsoki - Skov, Geiger, Bischof (Kramaric 66'), Stiller, Angelino - Bebou (Dolberg 66'), Baumgartner
Unused subs: Philipp, Bicakcic, Rudy, Becker, Damar, Dabbur
Out:Bruun Larsen (groin), Prömel (ankle), Vogt (thigh)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter

Watch: Dolberg: "Very disappointed"