Women's Bundesliga: Carl Zeiss Jena loses heavily against Hoffenheim

At least they scored a goal and briefly held the 1-1 draw – that's a lot of positives Carl Zeiss Jena can take from their opening match against Hoffenheim. However, they suffered a heavy defeat against the favorites from the Kraichgau region.

The Carl Zeiss Jena women's Bundesliga team began the season with a 1:4 (1:2) defeat. The Thuringian team missed out on their first point in their fifth match against TSG Hoffenheim on Monday (September 8). After only conceding 1:18 in four previous defeats, the FCC women at least scored their second goal in their first straight game.

Selina Cerci (8th/68th) and Melissa Kössler (37th/50th) scored the goals for the ambitious Hoffenheim team. Merza Julevic equalized in the 18th minute.

Jena coach Florian Kästner and his team were behind early on. Top scorer Cerci overran her opponent Bente Fischer, rounded Jena's goalkeeper Hannah Etzold, and then calmly slotted home the lead. Hoffenheim had the better of the game from the start. But after a corner, TSG goalkeeper Laura Dick misplaced the ball, and Julevic hammered home the equalizer at the far post. Jena's goalkeeper prevented the visitors from regaining the lead with a brilliant save from Cerci (27'). Kössler then scored with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, before scoring with a header after the break. Cerci sealed the final score.

dh/dpa