Pro Sports

Pefok scores on Bundesliga debut as Union beats Hertha 3-1

Posted August 06, 2022 7:00 am

By CIARÃN FAHEY

Union's scorer Robin Knoche and his teammates celebrate their side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - United States forward Jordan Pefok scored on his Bundesliga debut to help Union Berlin defeat Hertha Berlin 3-1 in their first league game of the season on Saturday.

Pefok, who also scored on his debut in the German Cup on Monday, opened the scoring in the 31st to set Union on its way to a third consecutive league win over its rival '“ a fourth including their cup meeting last season '“ to keep the unofficial title of 'ťStadtmeister'ť (city champion).

'œStadtmeister has a nice ring to it, but it's only the first game,'ť Union captain Christopher Trimmel said. 'œ(League) survival remains our aim.'ť

Pefok joined from Swiss team Young Boys in the offseason and has already become a fan favorite. He received a standing ovation along with teammate Genki Haraguchi when they were taken off late in the game.

Sheraldo Becker and Robin Knoche also scored to ensure Hertha's difficult start to the season continued after its German Cup exit to second-division Eintracht Braunschweig last weekend. Hertha only barely clinched survival last season and new coach Sandro Schwarz faces a tall order to restore the team's confidence.

Tempers frayed outside before kickoff as road closures led to traffic chaos around Union's Stadion an der Alten FÃ¶rsterei. Most fans were already inside the ground long before kickoff, but the tailbacks persevered, upsetting motorists who had nothing to do with the match.

Union made a great start and forced two good chances early on before the visitors had time to recover. But the home team had to wait for Becker to cross for Pefok to get the opener.

The second half began with a cloud of blue smoke from pyrotechnics in the Hertha end. Seconds after the stadium announcer asked the visiting fans to desist, the Union supporters followed suit with a cloud of red smoke at the other end. A giant tifo declared 'œOnce a Unioner, always a Unioner.'ť The stadium announcer's appeals were ignored.

Becker scored in the 50th after combining well with Janik Haberer and the home fans were celebrating again '“ belatedly '“ after a VAR check showed no offside when Knoche headed in Christopher Trimmel's corner in the 54th.

Dodi Lukebakio scored Hertha's consolation in the 85th.

Also, cup finalist Freiburg routed Augsburg 4-0 away, Borussia MÃ¶nchengladbach defeated visiting Hoffenheim 3-1, Wolfsburg drew with promoted Werder Bremen 2-2, and Mainz won 2-1 in Bochum.

Borussia Dortmund hosted Bayer Leverkusen late.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Union's Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Union's scorer Robin Knoche, center, and his teammates celebrate their side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Union's Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu, right, and Berlin's Marc-Oliver Kempf, left, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Union's Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Union's players cheers after the second goal by Union's Sheraldo Becker during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC Berlin and Union Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Union's Robin Knoche, right, gets to the ball before Hertha BSC's Davie Selke challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC Berlin and Union Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Union's Paul Jaeckel, left, and Berlin's Marvin Plattenhardt challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC Berlin and Union Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.