MSV Duisburg had not won five games in a row. On Friday evening, the league leaders won a thrilling third division match 2-1 (1-0) against SV Waldhof Mannheim.
Bernard Dietz was celebrated by his own fans for several minutes during the half-time break with loud cheers and chants of his name. The MSV icon, who was named DFB honorary captain in Frankfurt on Friday morning, saw a spirited home performance from MSV Duisburg.
The league leaders defeated SV Waldhof Mannheim 2-1 (1-0) under the floodlights thanks to goals from Conor Noß and Joshua Bitter.
Dietmar Hirsch surprised everyone with a change in the forward line compared to the 0-0 draw in Osnabrück. Tim Heike, who had not been considered for three weeks, made it back into the starting lineup from the stands for Florian Krüger. Thilo Töpken was missing from the squad. In addition, Mert Göckan (right forward) played for Jesse Tugbenyo and Patrick Sussek for the injured Jan-Simon Symalla. Steffen Meuer returned to the bench after serving his yellow card suspension.
The game began with an early shot for the initially courageous visitors. Kennedy Okpala forced Max Braune into a first save with his foot after a fine through ball. Duisburg’s number one cleared up a misunderstanding with his teammates shortly afterwards (2′). Then it was Duisburg’s turn: Sussek took advantage of a misunderstanding in the SVW defense and failed to beat Thijmen Nijhuis with a lob after a full sprint (7th minute).
The Zebras grew stronger and were rewarded after 20 minutes. Sussek brought the ball into the middle after a strong run down the left. Heike couldn’t control it, but Noß was quick-thinking and scored from six meters out. However, the goal should not have counted, as Heike was just offside. This was fortunate for MSV, who clearly benefited from the lead.
The home side pushed for a second goal, while the Mannheim fans repeatedly set off pyrotechnics. Bitter failed to get any power behind the ball after a corner (36′). Waldhof continued to pose a threat on the counterattack, but only had something to offer offensively in the first and last five minutes of the first half. A header from Masca (41′), which dipped just past the right post, was the best chance in the first 45 minutes.
There were no changes at the start of the second half. The game remained extremely lively, with the play going back and forth. First, Julian Rieckmann had a chance to equalize after a free kick (54′), then MSV had a triple chance: Noß, Heike, and Christian Viet all missed after a quick counterattack (59′). A deflected long-range shot from Joshua Bitter (66′) almost went in. Then the in-form right-back did better – and how. Bitter beat Masca on the right, turned into the center and pushed the ball through Nijhuis’ legs and over the line – a goal of determination (69′).
MSV continued to dominate the game and were close to scoring a third goal. Then Duisburg substitute Terrence Boyd scored with a header from a set piece – making it 2-1 (85′). It was pure excitement until the end of the six minutes of added time, but the Zebras held on to their narrow lead. Krüger cleared a free kick header from keeper Nijhuis off the line (90+7).
This means that Meiderich can defend their lead in the table after the 14th matchday of the third division, provided that FC Energie Cottbus does not win by three goals in Sunday’s top match against Osnabrück. After the Lower Rhine Cup round of 16 in Sonsbeck on November 16, Hirsch’s team will continue their campaign at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II (November 21).