A creative 1860 Munich earned a huge three points as they battled to defeat high flying St. Pauli by two goals to nil at the Allianz Arena, Michael Liendl and Rubin Okotie on the score sheet for die Sechzig.
The first period was competitive with both sides going close - Waldemar Sobota for Ewald Lienen's side whilst Liendl went closest for the hosts. Yet the score was evens at the break. In a blistering five minute spell at the start of the second period Benno Möhlmann's side struck twice to secure a first three points since a 1-0 victory over MSV Duisburg.
Both sides go close in competitive first period
The visitors, who were unchanged from a jubilant four goals to nil thrashing against struggling Fortuna Düsseldorf, began the brighter - as you would expect from side within the promotion spots - and went very close to breaking the die Löwen resistance within the opening ten minutes. Lennart Thy, the goal scoring ace against die Flingeraner, combining to set up Waldemar Sobota in the 1860 Munich box; the Pole twisted and turned before placing an effort onto Vitus Eicher's upright before the rebound evaded the onrushing Sebastian Meier.
However this is not to say that die Sechzig were a forgotten entity, far from it. When in possession they were able to string together smart moves and with the correct final ball, they may have been able to test Robin Himmelmann between the die Freibeuter sticks - yet promising from Benno Mõhlmann's side who were well aware a win would take them out of the automatic relegation places.
die Löwen continued to caress the ball as the half reached it's mid-point; yet after an encouraging opening fifteen or so minutes Ewald Lienen's side had somewhat lost their impetus at the Allianz Arena.
When finally an 1860 Munich move came off, they'd be ruing their efforts as Michael Liendl flashed the ball just past Himmelmann's post. The Austrian midfielder made a sound run behind the FC St. Pauli defence yet was unable to convert; in a spell that was die Löwen's best of the first period, in a spell that included five closely followed corners.
The hosts continued to dominate until the break, and enjoyed a succession of set pieces and corners; yet they were to no avail as Robin Himmelmann and his St. Pauli defence were fit to match all the 1860 Munich attack could throw at them before the half time whistle. Sobota early half effort remaining the closest either side had come to opening the scoring.
Super Sechzig strike twice in succession
The major issue for die Löwen that has seen them flirt with relegation over the last couple of seasons, is their seemingly inability to score on a regalia basis. This was looking to be the problem once more; despite creating promising situations on numerous occasions they were frequently unable to challenge Himmelmann - yet through some individual brilliance they would have their lead.
Rubin Okotie, yet to get anywhere the feats on his first Hinrunde in Sechzig colours, slipped the ball into the feet of Michael Liendl. The former Fortuna Düsseldorf man galloped forward before unleashing a rocket that homed straight into the back of the net, leaving Himmelmann hapless to help. The Allianz Arena crowd, bar the vociferous away sector, sent into raptures.
With new found confidence, die Löwen pushed for a second and just that would come nly minutes after Liendl's strike. This time it was Marius Wolf's turn to set up the scorer - Rubin Okotie. The Austrian faked a through ball then shimmied onto his favoured right foot before reversing the ball into the top corner of the goal. Benno Möhlmann, the Löwen faithful and infact all inside the Allianz Arena shock as to what the previous five minutes had produced in the Bavarian capital. The years seemingly rolled back to more prosperous times for die Sechzig.
St. Pauli nearly had an immediate way back into the game, yet the die Freibeuter claims for a spot-kick were waved away by referee Jochen Drees. Further inspection showed slight contact between Waldemar Sobota and Christopher Schindler - debatable whether a penalty - yet the die Sechzig captain was afforded the benefit as his adversary Sobota saw yellow for his efforts.
die Löwen pushed for further goals and as expected found a lot of joy as their opponents FC St. Pauli pushed for any hope of a point. Marius Wolf as well as substitute Fejsal Mulic had efforts allow Himmelmann as well as the linesmans flag prevented further blushes for Ewald Lienen's side. St. Pauli on the other hand were unable to mount any pressure after the earlier two goals had effectively knocked the stuffing out of their sails.