SV Darmstadt Earns a Hard-Fought Victory Against Fourth-Division Team Jena

SV Darmstadt 98 managed to pull off a hard-fought victory against FC Carl Zeiss Jena, a team from the Northeast Regional League. The 2. Bundesliga team, currently 15th in the standings and still winless, won 2-1 (2-1) in the first round of the DFB Cup. Milan Smit (11th minute) put Darmstadt ahead in front of 13,296 spectators at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Elias Löder (39th) equalized with a spectacular goal before Lance Duijvestijn (41st) put the visitors back in front. 

Jena starts strong, Darmstadt efficient

The Thuringians had the first chance when Emilio Munser (6th minute) won the ball and took a shot from a central position. His low shot went just wide. Former Darmstadt player Manassé Eshele (8th minute) then forced SV goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen into a save. But the visitors capitalized on virtually their first chance with clinical precision: New signing Smit (11th minute) scored the opening goal with a thunderous strike from 27 meters. Jena’s goalkeeper Marius Liesegang, who made several strong saves, then prevented the deficit from growing any larger.

Although the Lilies had more possession, Jena equalized thanks to a spectacular goal by Löder (39th minute) from 29 meters out. But Darmstadt responded efficiently: Duijvestijn (41') put coach Florian Kohfeldt’s team back in the lead with a skillful solo effort. After the break, Jena stepped up their game a bit, while Darmstadt played more defensively. Both sides lacked precision. Jena’s substitute Tristan Teuber (80th) had a chance to equalize, but his shot from a full run went just wide.