2. Bundesliga: Holstein Kiel end Hertha’s promotion hopes

Hertha BSC will stay in 2. Bundesliga after a home defeat to Holstein Kiel ended their hopes of a Bundesliga promotion.

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The capital city club Hertha BSC are automatically out of the promotion race following a disappointing home defeat to Holstein Kiel. Stefan Leitl’s troops were the better side in all metrics, but the visitors are the ones who found the all-important goal after the hour mark.

Including Josip Brekalo’s disallowed goal as early as the second minute and a penalty-kick decision reversed by VAR just before the break, the hosts had several opportunities to take the lead before half-time.

Tim Walter’s men had no attempts of any kind in the first-half, but they eventually took all three points after a goal from a throw-in. Norwegian midfielder Jonas Therkelsen beat Tjark Ernst with a well-placed shot after Hertha’s inability to clear the danger.

Kiel have now climbed to tenth place after picking up ten points in their last four games. It doesn’t seem like it at the start, but Walter’s arrival changed their fortunes as they’re now set to stay in 2. Bundesliga. 

Similarly, Hertha will be in the division next term for the fourth successive season, after the result left them nine points behind the top three with only three games left to play.