Bielefeld’s resurgence continues with fourth win in five as Kiel stay bottom

Arminia Bielefeld beat Holstein Kiel away from home to climb into the top six in 2. Bundesliga.

Arminia Bielefeld continued their impressive run as they climbed to sixth in 2. Bundesliga after a 2-1 win at bottom-placed Holstein Kiel. US striker Isaiah Thomas scored the winner 15 minutes after his introduction as part of triple substitutions by Oliver Kirch.

Japanese defender Hiroki Sekine scored at both ends before the match-winning moment from Young ten minutes from time. Kiel thought they had already equalized in the first-half through the usual suspect Phil Harres, but the striker’s goal was ruled out for a foul.

Bielefeld’s captain Joel Grodowski uncharacteristically missed a second-half penalty-kick before Sekine scored his first-ever league goal to cancel his early own-goal. Grodowski then created the deciding moment for Young after a quick one-two between the two players sent the American through on goal.

Bielefeld have only failed to beat league leaders Hertha from their last five matches since the end of October’s international break. Kirch’s men only had a single victory from the previous six games. Meanwhile, Kiel will spend the upcoming international break at the bottom of the league after losing back-to-back games for the first time.