DJK Blau-Weiß Mintard claimed their first win of the season at the weekend. Christian Knappmann believes in his team’s chances of promotion.
After DJK Blau-Weiß Mintard drew 5:5 with VfB Frohnhausen in a high-scoring game on the first matchday of the Landesliga Niederrhein Gruppe 3, the Mülheim side managed to record their first win of the season last Sunday. Against FC Remscheid, who travelled to Mülheim with a 9-0 win against DV Solingen behind them, the score was 2-0 in favour of the blue and whites at the final whistle.
Mintard coach Christian Knappmann saw a dominant game from his team, which failed to take the lead in the first half due to two offside goals and a crossbar. It was only after the restart that the decisive goals were scored, moving DJK up to fourth place in the table.
Knappmann is satisfied with the start to the new Landesliga season: “We now have a two-point average, which is also our benchmark. Last year we were in first place with such an average. So all in all it’s a successful start. “
I think we have the chance to get promoted, but so do four or five other teams. Promotion would be the crowning glory, but it’s not a must. We definitely want to play for it and work hard for it every day.
Christian Knappmann
“I like the intensity in the game against the ball. Also that the team is implementing my pragmatic style of play. However, we still have fluctuations in our play, and we have to correct that in the next few weeks,” is the conclusion after the first two games.
Next Sunday (11 September, 3:30 p.m.) is an away game at SC Germania Reusrath, who are currently in tenth place with one draw and one defeat. “Reusrath are by no means as weak as their position in the table suggests. They have their qualities and we are going there with a great deal of respect,” Knappmann assesses the upcoming task. The coach of the Blue-Whites also has his eye on the next match, because the duel against DJK Adler Union Frintrop (18 September, 3:15 p.m.) is not only a derby, but also a top match given the current standings. But for now, the focus is on the three points against Reusrath, emphasises the coach of the Blue-Whites.
The match against Frintrop could also be the first game that points the way to promotion to the top division, which Mintard is not averse to. “We have a very good team. I think we have the chance to be promoted, but so do four or five other teams. Promotion would be the crowning glory, but it’s not a must. We definitely want to play for it and work hard every day,” says Knappmann, looking forward to the rest of the season.