Mixed feelings among the VfL Bochum national team players. While two pros failed to qualify for the World Cup, a player on loan was able to boost his confidence.
Playing in the World Cup with Slovakia was the big dream of Bochum captain Matus Bero. But on Thursday evening, that dream came to an abrupt end. Slovakia, which had defeated Germany at home during the group stage, lost 3–4 to Kosovo—led by former Bochum player Elvis Rexhbecaj and Düsseldorf’s Florent Muslija—after a wild match. As a result, Kosovo will face Turkey in the playoff final for a World Cup spot.
Bero had fought his way back into VfL’s starting lineup just in time after a weeks-long injury layoff and started in midfield for Slovakia in the World Cup playoff semifinals. After leading 2–1 at halftime, the visitors turned the spectacular match around within minutes of the second half with three goals (47th, 60th, 72nd). The consolation goal came too late (90+4).
Bero was substituted in the 90th minute and can now focus entirely on VfL’s relegation battle. However, the 30-year-old received a yellow-red card in the 2–3 loss to Kiel and will therefore miss Bochum’s away game in Magdeburg on Holy Saturday.
Callum Marshall will also not be participating in the World Cup. Underdog Northern Ireland lost 0–2 in Italy. The VfL Bochum forward, on loan from West Ham United through the end of the season, did not see any action in that match.
Kjell Wätjen sparks DFB comeback against the Czech Republic
Things went better for the German U-20 national team players at VfL. Kjell Wätjen was in the starting lineup for coach Hannes Wolf’s DFB team in their 2-1 friendly victory over the Czech Republic. The midfielder, on loan from BVB and whose future remains uncertain after this season, helped spark the comeback after trailing 0-1 at halftime when he delivered a perfect pass to Max Moerstedt. The TSG Hoffenheim forward was fouled in the penalty area and converted the penalty kick to tie the game (55′), before Noah Darvich of VfB Stuttgart made it 2-1 (63′).
Wolf made several substitutions; Wätjen left the field after 69 minutes. Winger Farid Alfa-Ruprecht came on as a substitute in the same minute. The Bochum player, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, made his third appearance for the U20 team. “The team came out of the break strong and showed a response. In the end, we deserved to win and can be satisfied—especially since we were down 0-1 and got all our players on the field,” Wolf summed up. Next up is a friendly match in Poland on Tuesday, March 31 (4:45 p.m.).