MSV Duisburg won the opening match of the 14th third division matchday at SV Wehen Wiesbaden 3:1 (0:0). The Zebras scored two goals in 60 seconds.

MSV Duisburg’s downward trend has come to an end, as has Torsten Ziegner’s personal horror record. While the MSV coach managed to get three points for the first time after six personal defeats against Wehen Wiesbaden, his team celebrated its first success after three games without a win (3:1) in front of 3,593 spectators at the Brita Arena and landed an important three-goal victory in the relegation battle of the 3rd Division.

Ziegner brought on homegrown Baran Mogultay for left-back Niklas Kölle, who was shaky against Viktoria Köln, and surprisingly did without alternative striker Chinedu Ekene. Joshua Bitter returned to the Duisburg bench after his injury lay-off, but initially had to line up behind Rolf Feltscher.

The packed visitors’ block in the otherwise empty stadium of the fourth-placed team in the table attracted attention with a pyro display when the teams entered. Cheered on by the 700 supporters, Aziz Bouhaddouz missed the early chance to take the lead. The attacker just missed the far corner from an acute angle after a throw-in (6th). After that, the home side took command. Benedict Hollerbach missed from 16 metres because Feltscher had not cleared cleanly enough (23).

Shortly afterwards, the Zebras presented themselves with more self-confidence and clearly more aggressive. Ziegner’s team had good moments of transition and two dangerous goals by Bouhaddouz and Stoppelkamp within a few moments, both after strong preparation by Marvin Ajani. The Moroccan also failed from close range to beat SVWW keeper Arthur Lyska (35.). The Meiderich side had to be annoyed that they went into the dressing room without a goal.

Ziegner brought on Kolja Pusch, who had been more of a back-rower of late, for the inconspicuous Jonas Michelbrink at the start of the second half. The first chance belonged to the home side, Vincent Müller was able to keep out Hollerbach (51.). Then the Zebras rejoiced. Bjarke Jacobsen tried to clear a low Stoppelkamp cross from the right and hit goalkeeper Lyska. The ball bounced off him and into his own goal. Duisburg went 2-0 up just a minute later, Lyska first making a strong save from Pusch, the ball bouncing off the crossbar straight back to the MSV joker who headed in determinedly to make it 2-0. A perfectly struck touchdown by SVWW captain Johannes Wurtz brought Wiesbaden back quickly – 2:1 (63.).

The MSV remained unimpressed and made everything clear with a feat one minute before the end. Whether he wanted to or not: Stoppelkamp crossed the ball from the right-hand corner into the left-hand gable. It was his first goal since 21 August in the 3-0 away win in Meppen. Thanks to a good performance, the Zebras were rewarded with their third away win of the season. On Saturday in a week’s time, SpVgg Bayreuth are guests at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena