Rot-Weiß Oberhausen did not get beyond a draw against SV Straelen one week before the start of the Regionalliga. Worry about defender.

During the week, Rot-Weiß Oberhausen gave a strong performance and almost held Champions League participant Borussia Dortmund to a draw. It took a last-minute goal to make it 2:3 for the Kleeblättern to spoil their come-from-behind victory.

Three days later, RWO drew again. This time, however, the joy over the result is likely to be limited. In the 1-1 draw against SV Straelen, the Oberhausen team did not necessarily put in a top performance.

Both goals were scored in the early stages. Tom Hirsch had given Straelen an early lead. His goal in the sixth minute was preceded by a mistake by the Oberhausen team in their build-up play.

It only took three minutes for Jörn Nowak’s team to respond. After an interplay between top newcomers Moritz Stoppelkamp and Oguzhan Kefkir, Manfredas Ruzgis, signed from SC Wiedenbrück, headed in the equaliser (9th).

Injuries on both sides

However, the first half also had two unpleasant scenes to offer. Both Straelen and RWO were forced to make changes. For the Oberhausen team, defender Cottrell Ezekwem did not continue. The newcomer injured his thigh and was replaced by Dominik Burghard. On the SVS side, the game was over early for Isaac Kang. Hirotaka Yamada came on shortly before the break.

Before Rot-Weiß start the Regionalliga West next Saturday at SC Wiedenbrück, they have a dress rehearsal at Oberliga team SV Sonsbeck on Tuesday (6.30 pm).

For Straelen, the new season does not begin until 12 August. The team, which was relegated from the Regionalliga, will continue tomorrow with a test against Sportfreunde Broekhuysen.

Rot-Weiß Oberhausen – SV Straelen 1:1

RWO: Benz – Montag (46. Ngyombo), Ezekwem (37. Burghard), Klaß, Holthaus (70. Öztürk) – März (46. Fassnacht), Stoppelkamp (70. Donkor) – Kleinsorge (70. Rexha), Kreyer, Kefkir (70. Niemeyer) – Ruzgis

SVS: Schübel – Hreljic, Yanagisawa, Ndoup (57. You), Kang (42. Yamada) – Maluze (89. Baraza), Lemmert (85. Schütz) – Aydogan, Thissen, Hirsch – Müller (85. Blank)

Goals: 0:1 Hirsch (6.), 1:1 Ruzgis (9.)