KFC Uerdingen has finally won two competitive games in a row again. Now it’s off to Essen for the away game – against promoted team DJK Adler Union Frintrop.

After the 4-3 win in the Oberliga against TSV Meerbusch and the 3-0 win in the Niederrheinpokal round of 16 against league rivals TVD Velbert, KFC Uerdingen is determined to follow up in the league. On Sunday (October 29, 3 p.m.), they will travel to Essen to face DJK Adler Union Frintrop.

Up to 1000 spectators are expected at the Frintroper Wasserturm and KFC coach Marcus John knows exactly what his team has to prepare for. “It’s going to be a heated Ruhrpott atmosphere. We have to be prepared for that. For the opponent, it’s the game of the year. But we’ve played against opponents like this before. We know how it feels. Now we are back on track and should not ruin it all again. We must not embarrass ourselves again like we did last time in Sonsbeck,” John finds clear words.

In order to have the necessary physical freshness in Essen-Frintrop, John, who is not only the coach but also the sports director in Krefeld, gave his players Thursday off from training. “On Friday, we will only do a relaxed session so that we are at full strength for Sunday. Then there will be no excuses. We’re going to Essen-Frintrop to win. We also want to finally break the away curse,” he says.

I would favor a home game against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen or Rot-Weiss Essen, if RWE should advance in Straelen

Marcus John on his preferred quarter-final tie

What John means by that? Five away games, two draws, three defeats, that’s KFC’s record away from home this season. John explains: “Of course we have an easier time at the Grotenburg. That’s no coincidence. We have the fans behind us, who are always our 12th man. But we also have to do well away from home. Otherwise, we won’t achieve our goals. And those are the top places in the table. We are working on reducing the gap to the top teams by the winter.”

And then there’s the Niederrhein Cup quarter-final. Who does John actually want to see in the last eight in the round to be played in December? “I would favor a home game against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen or Rot-Weiss Essen, if RWE should advance in Straelen,” he replies. At least KFC could not embarrass themselves against either RWO or RWE. It would be different if they lost in Essen-Frintrop.