The SG Wattenscheid celebrated a surprising victory against Schalke’s U23. On Sunday, the SGW defeated the Knappen 2:1.

The SG Wattenscheid has given up the red lantern of the Regionalliga West. The 09ers surprisingly defeated the U23 of FC Schalke 04 on Sunday afternoon with 2:1 (2:0).

For the SGW, it was the first victory after a long drought of nine unsuccessful games. They can draw new hope, with the non-relegation places eight points away. At the same time, the promoted team ended Schalke’s streak of five unbeaten games. The Königsblauen missed the jump into the top group and are now in sixth place in the table.

Around 1,000 spectators came to the Lohrheide to watch the Revierduel. However, they did not get to see the duel between the Sané brothers at first. While S04 talent Sidi was in the starting eleven for the visitors, his older brother Kim was on the Wattenscheid bench due to groin problems. In general, 09 coach Christian Britscho fielded a kind of first team. 14 players were missing for the coach, who even had to reactivate Philipp Kunz as a substitute goalkeeper three years after his career ended.

Schalke, with six absentees and professional Kerim Calhanoglu in the starting eleven, went into the game as clear favourites. It was therefore all the more surprising that the SGW took the lead with their first offensive action. After a corner, Julian Meier pushed the ball over the line for 1:0 (6th).

Despite the early deficit, S04 did not seem shocked. The Königsblauen tried to continue their recent strong offensive play. But Wattenscheid held their own – and made it 2:0 after just under half an hour. Schalke’s keeper had fouled Omar Jessey on the edge of the penalty area, and Meier converted the resulting penalty kick (25th).

And even the 3:0 would have been possible when Heekeren saved a shot by Umut Yildiz a little later (31.). After that, Schalke became stronger. Nevertheless, the Wattenscheiders managed to save the lead into the break.

At the restart, Schalke coach Jakob Fimpel made two changes, including taking Calhanoglu off. After an hour, Britscho also reacted and brought Sané into the game. A little later, Sané even had the 3:0 on his foot (66.), while the Schalke team continued to create few compelling chances.

As time went on, S04 coach Fimpel pulled out all the offensive options. The pressure of his team increased, but the Wattenscheid bulwark hardly revealed any gaps. Daniel Kyerewaa found one shortly before the end and scored the equaliser (86th). Now they had to shiver. Schalke, however, did not manage the lucky punch. And so the hosts were able to celebrate their first victory in a long time.

The next match for Schalke is a home game against SC Wiedenbrück (Saturday, 29 October, 2 p.m.). At the same time, the SGW plays host to fellow promoted team 1. FC Kaan-Marienborn.