KFC Uerdingen squandered an interim two-goal lead against TSV Meerbusch but still won in the end. The fans stopped supporting in the first half.
KFC Uerdingen fought a wild duel with TSV Meerbusch in front of nearly 2,000 spectators at the Grotenburg Stadium on the 11th matchday of the Oberliga Niederrhein. In the end, a total of seven goals were scored with the happier ending for KFC, who managed to keep the three points at home after a 4:3 victory.
However, the Uerdingen side got off to the worst possible start and had to chase a deficit after just six minutes after Pepijn Schlösser had the ball jumped to his arm in the penalty area and the ref pointed to the spot.
“Of course, it rarely goes stupid at the beginning. I don’t know if you have to whistle that when the ball goes to the hand from three meters with a direct shot,” KFC coach Marcus did not necessarily share the decision of the impartial.
Immediately, memories of the previous game against SV Sonsbeck, which KFC had lost 1-0, were awakened in the Blue-Red. But against Meerbusch, John’s eleven not only made up for the deficit, but also built a 3:1 lead within 13 minutes – much to the delight of the KFC coach: “I have to compliment the team on that after last week’s uncertainty.”
Silent protest from KFC Uerdingen fans
However, the performance from the previous week against Sonsbeck had a significant impact on the volume in the Grotenburg Stadium. The fans reacted with a silent protest in the first half: no chants were heard for 45 minutes and no flags were waved. There was sporadic applause and the call “We want to see you fight” – but nothing more.
Although the usual fan support returned in the stands after the change of ends, the KFC players squandered their two-goal lead on the pitch within eight minutes of the restart and allowed TSV to equalize at 3:3. “After 3-1, we said we’ll go out normally and play for the fourth goal. Then we get a deflected shot in and we’re wobbling. Everyone knows that psychological momentum where you can’t even explain a few things,” John pointed out.
Nevertheless, Uerdingen recovered in time to still decide the game in their favor. “In our current situation, winning is more important than playing a nice game. Of course, you can’t be satisfied with the game like that, but with the result. We have three points and let’s move on. Games like this have also been lost in the last five minutes and in our situation only the victories count,” John explained, also with a view to the table, in which KFC is now nine points behind leader Sportfreunde Baumberg.