CNN
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It was a simple header from shut vary that put Borussia Dortmund 3-1 forward within the second half of its league sport Saturday, however the simplicity of the goal shouldn’t masks its significance.
Sébastien Haller’s goal was his first since returning to play three weeks in the past, having wanted to take day off from the game to endure treatment for testicular cancer.
He occurred to attain on International World Cancer Day, an event the German membership marked by placing a ‘tumor’ on the middle circle earlier than the match and at halftime to boost consciousness of testicular cancer.
The 28-year-old was recognized days after signing for Dortmund final summer time and has wanted two operations and 4 rounds of chemotherapy.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment since day one. When I scored the goal, it felt like the whole stadium was on fire,” Haller instructed Sky Sports. “I am happy, but the way is still long, so we will keep walking and hope for more goals.”
Haller performed his first league sport for Dortmund on January 22 and made his first begin for the German aspect per week later.
The Ivory Coast worldwide scored 47 objectives in 66 video games for his former membership Ajax throughout an 18-month spell, 11 of which got here within the Champions League.
He signed for Dortmund on July 6 however started to really feel unwell throughout a preseason coaching camp in Switzerland later that month.
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl instructed Sky Sports: “We had been all joyful for Sébastien. He’s been working in direction of this present day for a very long time, it’s an enormous weight off his shoulders, we’re all excited and overjoyed.
“He’s capable of playing even better when he discovers his old rhythm. But the goal will help with that, of course.”
Dortmund went on to beat 10-man Freiburg 5-1 to make it 4 wins from 4 league video games. The win moved Dortmund to 3rd within the Bundesliga, two factors off leaders Union Berlin.
Freiburg had Kiliann Sildillia despatched off within the 17th minute for 2 bookable offenses inside three minutes of one another.