FC St. Pauli

The Schultz XI made the long trip south determined to take all three points but were without Eric Smith, however, who was forced to withdraw with a cold. That handed Betim Fazliji his second start, this time in the holding position in front of the back four. Otherwise, head coach Timo Schultz went with the team that narrowly missed out on a home win in the 1-1 draw against SV Sandhausen.

Both teams dispensed with the customary cautious opening in which captain Leart Paqarada fired a free-kick against the post with just three minutes gone. Johannes Eggestein' had little time to adjust on the rebound, allowing Christian Viet, one of two former St. Pauli players in the home ranks alongside Dejan Stojanović, to clear the ball off the line.

A goal duly arrived, but it came at the other end. Viet and Fazliji got tangled up on the byeline and it looked harmless enough until video assistant Felix Zwayer intervened. Referee Nicolas Winter took another look at the situation and, much to the chagrin of everyone in brown and white, pointed to the spot - a controversial decision to say the least. Andreas Albers took on the responsibility and slid a low shot past Vasilj into the corner of the goal.

His strike ended a run of 547 minutes without a goal for the home side and knocked the Schultz XI out of their stride, though not for long. Stojanović had to stick out a hand to deny Johannes Eggestein a 23rd minute equaliser, and then Etienne Amenyido was taken somewhat by surprise to receive a Paqarada cross and was unable to return the bouncing ball into the open net.

The Boys in Brown had the better of the home side during this phase of the game but repeatedly made the wrong decision in the final third. Regensburg, on the other hand, were more effective and extended their lead on 41. Viet was again the provider, delivering a ball into the box unchallenged for Albers to beat Vasilj for a second time with a header.

The Boys in Brown had the first chance of the game when Amenyido drew a free-kick that Paqarada curled against the post.

The Boys in Brown hit the ground running after the restart and Lukas Daschner curled an effort just past the far post in the 53rd minute. A lengthy lull in the play followed after that, however, in which St. Pauli dominated the possession without ever seriously threatening. Not until the 84th minute did Connor Metcalfe trouble Stojanović with a shot from just outside the area.

Though the Boys in Brown gave little away in transition situations, Vasilj eventually had to intervene to deny Albers four minutes from the end. The chances the Schultz XI did manage to create lacked the quality of that one, unfortunately, and they were unable to ward off the defeat. The Boys in Brown now enter the international break before hosting FC Heidenheim at the Millerntor on 1 October. 

SSV Jahn Regensburg

Stojanović - Idrizi (Caliskaner 70'), Elvedi, Kennedy, Faber - Shipnoski (Yildirim 90'), Thalhammer, Viet (Nachreiner 90'), Mees (Makridis 59') - Owusu (Vizinger 70'), Albers

Head coach: Mersad Selimbegović

FC St. Pauli

Vasilj - Saliakas (Zander 72'), Nemeth, Medić, Paqarada (Ritzka 62') - Fazliji (Metcalfe 46') - Boukhalfa, Irvine - Daschner - Amenyido, Eggestein (Matanović 46')

Head coach: Timo Schultz

Goals: 1-0 Albers (pen. 8'), 2-0 Albers (41')

Yellow cards: Thalhammer, Owusu - Medić, Daschner, Irvine (5th yellow), Metcalfe, Hartel, Bornemann

Referee: Nicolas Winter

Attendance: 12,124

Photos: Witters