SC Verl faced a tough opponent in a friendly on Thursday. However, Borussia Mönchengladbach ultimately proved to be a step too far.

This was certainly not how SC Verl imagined their friendly against Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach would go. The third-division club suffered a heavy 0-5 (0-3) defeat against the Foals.

Borussia had several first-team players on the pitch, some of whom were destined to make an impact. However, it was Shio Fukuda, who normally plays for the Foals’ regional league team, who got the ball rolling. The attacking player scored the early lead for the Foals after an assist from Robin Hack.

Hack also assisted Alassane Plea in the 34th minute. Plea, who is from the aforementioned first team, shot from a turn. Philipp Schulze in the SC Verl goal had no chance – 0-2.

Before the break, Florian Neuhaus – this time from a pass by Plea – made it 3-0 for the visitors (40th minute). After the break, things continued bitterly for Verl, with Fukuda adding another goal. He initially failed to score, but then pushed the ball over the line while sitting down (52′). Three minutes later, Noah Pesch made it 5-0. Following a pass from Neuhaus, he curled the ball into the left corner (55′).

Gladbach regained some confidence after a weak start to the season and their recent 1-2 defeat in the league at FC Augsburg. Verl, on the other hand, secured their first win in four games.

Berkan Taz and Eduard Probst found the net to secure a 2-0 win for Verler against Spielvereinigung Unterhaching, who are now waiting for their first three points in five games.

“I’m really happy for the boys. We played well, just like we have done in recent weeks, and created chances. There was a bit of déjà vu at the beginning, with shots hitting the inside post and narrowly missing the goal. And then you start to doubt yourself again. It was really, really important that we kept a clean sheet,” said Alexander Ende, coach of SC Verl, relieved in an interview with ‘Magenta Sport.’

This victory was probably much more important to him than the defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The teams played as follows:

SC Verl P. Schulze – Scholze, Gruber, F. Otto, Kijewski – Stark, Gayret, Baack, Taz – Kyeremateng, Onuoha

Bor. Mönchengladbach

Sippel – Lainer, Friedrich, Weigl, Atty – Sander, Neuhaus, Herrmann, Plea, Hack – Fukuda