Haller On Scoresheet After Cancer Battle As Union Knock Bayern Off Top
Zeeshan Mehtab Published February 04, 2023 | 11:43 PM
Sebastien Haller crowned his recent return from testicular cancer with an emotional goal for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, as Union Berlin knocked Bayern Munich off the top of the Bundesliga with a dramatic late win over Mainz
Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Feb, 2023 ) :Sebastien Haller crowned his recent return from testicular cancer with an emotional goal for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, as Union Berlin knocked Bayern Munich off the top of the Bundesliga with a dramatic late win over Mainz.
Six months after a shock diagnosis which saw him miss the entire first half of the season, Haller finally opened his account for the club he joined last summer.
The Ivory Coast international's second-half header prompted wild celebrations among his team mates and helped Dortmund to a 5-1 win over Freiburg which kept them within two points of leaders Union.
"I've been waiting for this moment since day one. When I scored the goal, it felt like the whole stadium was on fire," Haller told Sky.
"I am happy, but the way is still long, so we will keep walking and hope for more goals," he added.
Freiburg were reduced to ten men early in the first half after French full-back Kiliann Sildillia was booked twice in the space of two minutes.
Former Freiburg player Nico Schlotterbeck then heaped more misery onto his old club, his low snapshot beating goalkeeper Mark Flekken at the near post to give Dortmund the lead.
Schlotterbeck and Niklas Suele handed Freiburg a lifeline with some farcical defending on the stroke of half-time, allowing Lucas Hoeler to sweep in an unexpected equaliser.
Yet Karim Adeyemi wriggled his way through the Freiburg box to restore the lead with a neat finish early in the second half, before goals from Haller, Julian Brandt and Giovanni Reyna completed the rout.
Meanwhile in the capital, Union Berlin were working on their own fairytale as a late winner from US international Jordan Siebatcheu sent the high-flying minnows top of the table.
- 'Ironic' - Former Union player Marcus Ingvartsen had cancelled out Kevin Behrens' first-half opener with a late penalty, but the Berliners rallied to claim a fourth straight win in 2023.
The win had Union fans singing about winning the title, but captain Christopher Trimmel said his side were keeping their feet on the ground.
"I was singing along, but only ironically," he told Sky.
"There's still a long way to go this season and we are not going to start talking about the title, Eintracht Frankfurt also remained within four points of the top as France forward Randal Kolo Muani ran riot in a 3-0 win over hapless Hertha Berlin.
Having put Frankfurt ahead from the penalty spot, Kolo Muani ghosted through the Hertha back line to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark, before Aurelio Buta added a third on the stroke of full time.
RB Leipzig's 0-0 draw at Cologne meant that Frankfurt remain a point adrift of the Champions League places in fifth.
Hertha have slumped to four straight defeats since the beginning of 2023, and are now five points adrift of safety after fellow strugglers Bochum cruised to a 5-2 win over Hoffenheim.
Philipp Hofmann gave Bochum a deserved lead with a tap-in before Philipp Foerster and Takuma Asano showed up a lifeless Hoffenheim defence to make it 3-0 by half-time.
Erhan Masovic and Moritz Broschinski added two more for Bochum after the break, with Christoph Baumgartner and Munas Dabbur grabbing consolation goals for the visitors.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
More Stories From Sports
-
Spanish football federation appoints Rocha as president
39 minutes ago -
Father, son killed in firing
4 hours ago -
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
8 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
12 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
18 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
19 hours ago
-
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
21 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
21 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
21 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
21 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
21 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
21 hours ago