KFC Uerdingen has finally won two competitive games in a row. Now it’s off to an away game in Essen – to promoted team DJK Adler Union Frintrop.

After the 4:3 in the Oberliga against TSV Meerbusch and the 3:0 in the Niederrheinpokal quarterfinal against league rival TVD Velbert, KFC Uerdingen is determined to follow up in league play. It’s off to Essen on Sunday (October 29, 3 p.m.), to DJK Adler Union Frintrop.

Up to 1,000 spectators are expected at the Frintrop water tower and KFC coach Marcus John knows exactly what his team has to prepare for. “It’s going to be such a heated Ruhrpott atmosphere. We have to be prepared for that. For the opponent, it’s the game of the year. But we’ve played against opponents like that before. We know how that feels. Now we’re back on track, we can’t let it spoil everything again. We mustn’t disgrace ourselves again like we did last time in Sonsbeck,” John finds clear words.

In order to have the necessary physical freshness in Essen-Frintrop, John, who is not only coach but also sports director in Krefeld, gave his protégés a training day off on Thursday. “On Friday, we will also only complete a loose unit, so that we are in full possession of our forces for Sunday. Then there will be no excuses whatsoever. We are going to Essen-Frintrop to win. We also want to finally beat the away curse,” he says.

I would favor a home game against Rot-Weiss Oberhausen or Rot-Weiss Essen, if RWE should advance in Straelen.

Marcus John about his wish-list for the quarterfinals

What John means by that? Five away games, two draws, three defeats, that’s KFC’s record away from home this season. John explains, “Of course, we do easier at the Grotenburg. That’s no coincidence. We have the fans behind us, who are always our twelfth man. But we also have to get it right away from home. Otherwise we won’t achieve our goals. And those are the top places in the table. We’re working on reducing the gap to the top by the winter.”

And there’s also the Niederrheinpokal quarterfinals. Who does John actually want in the round, which is still to be played in December, of the last eight teams? “A home game against Rot-Weiss Oberhausen or Rot-Weiss Essen, should RWE advance in Straelen, would be my favorite,” he answers. At least KFC could not embarrass itself against either RWO or RWE. It would be different in the event of a defeat in Essen-Frintrop.