Match Report | Hamburger SV 0-3 Cardiff City
Cardiff City began their Austrian tour with an impressive victory over Hamburger SV on Sunday afternoon.
Second-half goals from Ollie Tanner, Isaak Davies and Callum Robinson proved the difference as City put in a comprehensive pre-season performance at both ends of the pitch throughout the full 90 minutes.
With a starting line-up featuring the return of Perry Ng for the first time since the end of the 2023/24 campaign, the Bluebirds kicked off their Austrian tour with another stern test against strong German opposition in Bramberg.
City posed a threat immediately, as within a minute of play Yakou Meite was inside the opposing area with the ball at his feet, demanding a strong challenge to deny a goal scoring opportunity, which left both players requiring a few moments for treatment before resuming.
Though chances for both sides were limited throughout the beginning of the first half, Aaron Ramsey created a good opportunity for his side as he found Ollie Tanner with a precisely delivered long ball. The forward cut back towards Perry, whose strike from the edge of the area flew over the crossbar.
With play opening up in the final ten minutes of the first half, City looked to take the lead with a series of chances created. Building up from the back and switching play from side to side to find attacking space, the Bluebirds saw shots blocked inside the area, with Meite and Jamilu Collins both not quite able to steer their efforts on target.
Beginning the second half in the same vein as they finished the first, City swiftly broke the deadlock through Tanner. The winger darted into the area to meet Collins’ lofted cross towards the back post, heading home powerfully to fire the Bluebirds ahead.
With Hamburg limited to attacking chances by the successful City press, Jak Alnwick produced a terrific save under pressure to deny the opposition an equaliser.
The save proved influential less than five minutes later, as Isaak Davies rounded the ‘keeper with a neat finish from fellow substitute Joel Bagan’s incisive through ball from his position in the heart of defence.
With fresh legs thanks to a flurry of changes for the final half hour, City didn’t look at all out of step as they continued their dominance for the remainder. Davies very nearly bagged a brace with a shot that struck the side netting, while Rubin Colwill was unfortunate to see his own effort go high from a low cross, with less than ten minutes remaining.
Keeping the opposition at bay until the final whistle, City’s third goal came in the 90th minute, as Callum Robinson finished well on the half-volley to cement a comprehensive performance by the Bluebirds from their first test on unfamiliar ground.
Cardiff City will next travel to face South African league champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Sportzentrum Worgl on Tuesday, July 23rd – 3pm KO (BST).
FINAL SCORE: Hamburger SV 0-3 Cardiff City
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Collins (Kpakio 62'), Goutas (Bagan 62'), McGuinness (Fagan-Walcott 62'), Ng (Conte 55'), Ralls (Rinomhota 70'), Siopis (Turnbull 62'), O'Dowda (Robinson 62'), Ramsey (R. Colwill 48'), Tanner (Davies 62'), Meite (Ashford 62'). Subs not used: Dennis, J. Colwill, Etete.