Duisburger FV 08 leads the table in the Bezirksliga Group 5 in the Lower Rhine region. But the chasing pack, including SV Genc Osman Duisburg, are looking to make another push.
SV Genc Osman Duisburg has smelled blood. In third place, they are only seven points behind the leaders.
On January 2, 2026, coach Hakan Katircioglu will ask his protégés to get back on track. Forecasting spoke with the coach, who took over for Yalcin Nezir early in the season.
Hakan Katircioglu, how would you assess your team’s first half of the season?
I can only judge the part since I took over the team, which was on the fifth match day with four points. I can’t say anything about before that. We had a bit of a bumpy start, and it took some time before I could analyze what the team was lacking, where its weaknesses and strengths lay, and which players had which qualities. I noticed early on that the team lacked pace, transition play, and, above all, clinical finishing. We then worked on this continuously in every training session. In addition, I preached to the team over and over again, and continue to do so, that we can only bring our strengths to the pitch as a unit. Of course, as a coach, you also have to have a keen sense of intuition and be able to judge where the players can be best deployed to be most beneficial to the team. In conclusion, we can say that we at least recognized everything correctly in the first half of the season and also implemented it superbly, as we had the worst offense in the league with four points and a goal difference of 5:5, and now, with 36 points and a goal difference of 57:24, we have become the best offense and second-best defense, making us a promotion contender.
What has been the highlight for you so far?
There were two! Undoubtedly our best game and a mega second half in Oberhausen at SC 1920. And our absolutely strong comeback after going 0-2 down at VfB Homberg II.
And what was the most negative experience?
Quite clearly: our 1-5 home defeat against Neukirchen-Vluyn, which still really bothers me. Unfortunately, I had only had the team in training for two weeks and didn’t yet know the individual strengths and character of each player. Things are very different now. Even after going 0-2 down, the players don’t let their heads drop and don’t lose their composure and order in the game, and we all believe we can turn the game around until the final whistle.
Will there be any changes to the squad during the winter break?
Yes, there will. We have parted ways with a few players and have already signed some new ones who fit in well with the team, will definitely help us, and also believe in and live by the club’s philosophy.
What is your goal for the rest of the season?
We are now at the top and have earned the necessary respect in the league. Therefore, we will do everything we can until the end to try to stay at the top and then see what the final result will be.
