1. FCK continues string of defeats after loss against Hamburg

Kaiserslautern’s 1. FCK had to accept defeat once again Saturday after losing 1-2 in an away match against Hamburger SV. Now, 1. FCK is ranked No. 14 in the league.

Despite a strong start, the Red Devils now seem to be slowing down as the season progresses. Saturday’s match against Hamburg was surprising since the beginning of the match showed possibilities of a victory for 1. FCK.

Within minutes of starting, Srdjan Lakic scored the first goal. The remainder of the first half showed continuous attempts by 1. FCK, but, just as in the previous games, they kept missing the goal by fractions of an inch.

Marco Kurz directed a very different type of line-up. Tobias Sippel manned the goal zone with help from Martin Amedick, Rodnei, Florian Dick and Leon Jessen in defense.

The midfield was covered by Ivo Ilicevik, Oliver Kirch, Jiri Bilek, Christian Tiffert and Clemens Walch. Lakic was the sole striker.

The line-up for Hamburger SV was more traditional with Frank Rost as goalkeeper; Joris Mathijsen and Heiko Westermann in defense; Jose Roberto Da Silva, David Jarolim, Jonathan Pitroipa, Tomas Rincon and Robert Tesche in mid-field; and Eljero Elia, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as strikers.

Tensions grew as Hamburg picked up their pace during the second half and started putting pressure back on 1. FCK — a successful maneuver. Two yellow cards were given to the Red Devils (Dick and Lakic) while Hamburg took only one (Mathijsen).
Gokjo Kacar, who was originally a substitute for Hamburg, scored Hamburg’s first goal. After that initial goal, Kacar continued trying for the tie breaker, but Sippel blocked all the attempts.

Surprisingly, after all the strong, deliberate attempts by Hamburg to break the tie, it was a goal, that seemed somewhat accidental, that won the match. The winning goal was scored by Choupo-Moting just a few minutes before the referee blew the whistle.

The die-hard 1. FCK fans still support their team but are longing for some magic from Kurz and his players.

The Red Devils will host Eintracht Frankfurt at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Fritz Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern. Tickets are available online at www.fck.de or at the stadium.