Late luck sends Dortmund into cup final
Reuters - Tuesday 20 March 2012, 22:59
Borussia Dortmund
needed a fortunate last-gasp goal in extra time by substitute
Ilkay Gundogan to edge past second division Greuther Fuerth 1-0
and reach the German Cup final on Tuesday.
Gundogan's shot from 15 metres hit the post and bounced off
the back of substitute goalkeeper Jasmin Fejzic and into the net
in the 120th minute to break Fuerth's hearts.
Fejzic had only been on the pitch two minutes having been
brought on ahead of what the hosts hoped would be penalties.
In the final Dortmund, who are chasing a domestic double and
lead the Bundesliga title race by five points, will face Bayern
Munich or Borussia Monchengladbach, who meet in the other semi
on Wednesday.
"This is an absolute dream, especially after the way the
game turned out today," said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. "It
was extremely difficult. Fuerth were amazing, very dangerous and
then we go and score such a goal."
Second division leaders Fuerth, who had not conceded a goal
in the competition until Tuesday, had started well and
Bundesliga champions Dortmund had to wait 16 minutes before
creating their first chance with a Sebastian Kehl header.
Dortmund dominated most of the game but failed to take their
chances against their determined opponents.
Japan international Shinji Kagawa should have given the
visitors the lead after 30 minutes but his header from
point-blank range flew over the bar.
Kevin Grosskreutz also came close 10 minutes after the break
but his bullet header was palmed away by keeper Max Gruen.
Fuerth coach Mike Bueskens, a former player and coach at
Dortmund's bitter rivals Schalke 04, fired his players up from
the sidelines and saw Canadian Olivier Occean threaten twice.
But he was left dejected when Gundogan scored seconds from
time to send the visitors to their first cup final since 2008.
"Jasmin is outstanding at penalties in training and we
decided to bring him on," Bueskens told reporters. "It was such
a bitter way to go out. The keeper was unlucky, could do nothing
with the way the ball bounced."