KFC Uerdingen’s U19s got off to a modest start in the 2024 calendar year, picking up zero points from two games. We spoke to coach Adalet Güner.

KFC Uerdingen’s U19 team was sent swimming twice in the Lower Rhine League to start the new year. First, they lost the year’s opener against Spvg Schonnebeck 1-3, followed by a 2-0 loss against SG Unterrath.

“These were matches between evenly matched teams, in each of which we would certainly have deserved more than just a draw. In the end, it was due to our own inability and also bad luck,” said Adalet Güner, coach of the KFC U19s, assessing the games. The results may be very negative, but at the beginning of the season, KFC’s situation looked even more dramatic.

For the first seven match days, KFC was at the bottom of the table. With Güner’s change of trainer and system, a breath of fresh air came to the blue-and-reds. Meanwhile, the U19 team is in seventh place and is performing much more consistently.

The gap between them and the top teams in the Niederrheinliga seems to have narrowed. Güner sees it the same way: “We don’t have to hide from any team. I still see Meerbusch, RWO and RWE as being a step higher in terms of quality, but we can beat these three teams with our quality.”

About six to eight of my players have already been allowed to join the first team. The goal is definitely to integrate at least two guys at the top.

Adalet Güner

St. Tönis is the upcoming opponent. Güner wants to get his team back on a winning streak and get 2024 off to a flying start: “We can turn things around there. But we mustn’t underestimate St. Tönis under any circumstances. They have two or three good players up front who can cause us problems. We have to hold out from the start and, in the best case, get the three points.”

Three points would be essential for KFC, who are hoping to move up a place in the table and “avoid ending up in the relegation zone”.

The question that arises more and more these days is the quality of the players. Do they have the potential and ability to make it into the first team? It’s no secret that KFC Uerdingen don’t have a lot of money and therefore have to rely more on their own youth.

Güner gives a little all-clear and assures that in the U19 some players slumber, who would be eligible for the Oberliga: “There have already been about six to eight players who were allowed to join a session with the first team. The goal is definitely to integrate at least two guys up there.”

The coach also mentions two names that have already attracted a lot of attention in the U19s: “Rashad Ouro-Akpo was named player of the tournament at the indoor tournament in which we participated with the Oberliga team. He is definitely an interesting footballer. Julian Keibel should also be mentioned, who has already made the difference for us in a few games.”