Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Hertha Berlin

I believe we will win 2-1... We did not play well there last season and they have had a good start this year but we are on a good way to integrate the new players and implement the coach's philosophy on the pitch. --Malik Fathi, on Hertha Berlin's chances against Bielefeld.

Suckers.

Die Blauen now sit in a tie for second in the Bundesliga after their 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin, though from the looks of the first half, the match had 0-0 written all over it. Hertha thought they could score by hoofing the ball from 30 yards out and Bielefeld didn't really bother to shoot all that much. What made matters worse was that in the 34th minute, new midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi got pulled off for his out of form play, and replaced by Ioannis Masmanidis, who didn't do much for the remainder of the half either.

Evidently various items were tossed about the locker rooms during half time, as both sides came out guns a-blazing, and Hertha nearly got onto the board when Carlos Lucio took advantage of poor defending on a corner kick to rattle the crossbar in the 47th minute. From the clearance Bielefeld began their first sustained attack of the match where in succession Radim Kucera took a free kick, Artur Wichniarek had a shot blocked, Andre Mijatovic had a header blocked, and finally a free kick in one of the strangest places imaginable-- inside the penalty box.

After Mijatovic's header, Hertha attempted to clear, but as Bielefeld continued to pressure Josip Simunic pack passed back to goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny, who promptly fell on the ball. Of course, that's illegal, and the referee gave a free kick to Bielefeld about 6 yards into the box. Kucera took the free kick, and promptly chipped the ball to Masmanidis, who slotted the ball past Drobny to give the home side the lead.

From there it was back and forth with both sides squandering chances, most noticeably by Hertha Berlin forward Solomon Okoronkwo, who was denied a goal by a superb save by Mattias Hain from 16 yards out, and then denied in a one-on-one opportunity. Berlin continued to press, but after Patrick Ebert's free kick bounced off the crossbar, they produced no other serious threat.

In the 90th minute, after Christian Eigler and Drobny received  Yellow Cards, Wichniarek sealed the three points after he intercepted a header by Malik Fathi (Yes, that Malik Fathi), and buried the shot in the back of the net to give them the 2-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, the referee blew his whistle, giving Bielefeld the three points.

With the win, Bielefeld sit in a tie for second in the Bundesliga with VfB Bochum, but ahead on goal difference. It is beginning to look like last season's start, but I hope with Middendrop at the helm, we won't have a midseason swan dive like last time.

But for now, we'll enjoy 2nd in the Bundesliga. We earned it.

Next Week: at MSV Duisburg

Picture of the match:

Artur Wichniarek leads on Bielefeld supporters as they do their traditional post-game singing.