In the Mittelrhein Cup quarter-final, Fortuna Cologne took an early lead against 1. FC Düren. However, a second yellow card led to a turnaround.

The two Mittelrheinliga teams TuS Blau-Weiß Königsdorf (3-0 at Borussia Freialdenhoven) and Bonner SC (2-1 a.e.t. against Eintracht Hohkeppel) as well as Regionalliga leaders Alemannia Aachen, who beat third division team Viktoria Cologne 2-0, had already qualified for the Mittelrhein Cup semi-finals. It was also certain that the BSC would host Königsdorf in the Mittelrheinliga duel. The only thing left to find was the team that Aachen would be hosting at the Tivoli. After a 3-1 victory at Fortuna Cologne, it was certain that it would be 1. FC Düren.

It was initially Cologne who started a little more actively at their home ground, the Südstadion, but were unable to create any danger early on. On the other side, Simon Breuer tested Fortuna keeper André Weis for the first time (15th). It wasn’t until half an hour into the game that Fortuna created a highlight. Jannick Theißen was able to parry Henri Matter’s shot, but Leon Demaj pushed the rebound over the line – 1-0 to the hosts!

Before the break, however, there was still a stir: after a tackle between Romeo Aigbekaen and Dominik Ernst, there was a pack formation, both saw yellow (38th minute) – and that should have consequences for one of the two.

Shortly after half-time, Ernst was late in marking substitute Vincent Geimer and was sent off for a second booking (48′). This meant that Düren were able to turn the game around with an extra man for the entire second half.

Aigbekaen sparks turnaround

Aigbekaen, of all people, the man involved in Ernst’s first yellow card, initiated the turnaround. After a through ball from Simon Breuer, the attacker got to the ball before goalkeeper Weis and scored to equalize (59′).

Cologne initially held out against ten men, but in the 78th minute, the substitute Julijan Popovic scored from a tight angle to make it 2-1. Breuer, who was born in Cologne and was still under contract with 1. FC Köln II until the winter, then made it 3-1 with his goal (84′).

This means that the semi-final of the Mittelrhein Cup between the two clubs, to be played at the Tivoli stadium between March 19 and 21, will not only be a regional league clash, but also a derby. The stadiums of the two clubs are only about 30 kilometers apart.