After conceding many goals at the start of the season, Sportfreunde Niederwenigern recently managed to play twice to nil and earn four points in the Landesliga.

17 goals conceded after six match days – that was the horror record of Sportfreunde Niederwenigern in the Landesliga. However, no further goals were conceded in the last two games, which coach Marcel Kraushaar is happy about. “We imagined the start of the season to be a little different. But I am extremely proud of the team and how it has developed over the last two weeks,” reports Kraushaar. The coach of the Oberliga relegation team also has an explanation ready: “Soccer is more than just tactics. We wanted to take a collaborative approach and had to rediscover our collective will. We also eliminated the individual mistakes that had already cost us a point or two.”

Despite the positive development, the team is in twelfth place in the table and only one point ahead of the relegation zone. Nevertheless, the mood at the club is relaxed. “From the outset, our goal was not to cling to a specific position. We are now taking it step by step, and the first step was to secure our defense. We want to build consistency before the winter break, but we also know that there will always be setbacks,” says Kraushaar, looking ahead.

But for now, the focus is on the next league match, when the team travels to Moers on Friday, October 10, at 8 p.m. SV Scherpenberg awaits. The Sportfreunde coach expects a very close match in the Grafenstadt: “Two teams are playing against each other that are on equal footing. We want to get into the game through our defensive work; offensively, we are always capable of scoring goals. But I think it will remain open until the end.”

However, the current situation in the squad is causing some concern, as several players are unavailable. “Overall, we are already decimated, we have a few injuries and suspensions, and a couple of players are ill. The loss of Dominik Enz is particularly painful, as he will be out for a long time due to pubic bone inflammation. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that we will field a good team on Friday,” said Kraushaar optimistically.