SV Straelen has used the relegation from the Regionalliga West to restart in the Oberliga Niederrhein. At the winter break, Sunay Acar’s team is in third place.
After being relegated from the Regionalliga West last season, SV Straelen realigned itself over the summer. Half a year later, Sunay Acar’s team is in third place in the Oberliga Niederrhein, eight points behind leaders Baumberg.
In the forecasting interview, Acar looks back on the first half of the season with satisfaction, explains why there is no pressure and sums up: “I don’t think we were even worse in the first half of the season.”
Sunay Acar on……
the first half of the season: After such a messed-up season last year, we had a completely fresh start this summer. With 17 new players, our initial task was to get to know each other. The boys did an exemplary job of that and we grew together from match day to match day. Then we got into a flow, but with Kenan Hreljic, we lost an important player because he had problems with his visa and had to leave the country. When a player who, among other things, played in the Conference League qualifiers last year, breaks away from such a young team, then the balance is lost a bit. However, the technical and tactical content that the team has internalized well has nevertheless led to good results. But I’m not one to be satisfied. We played a good, decent first half of the season, with ups and downs.
.. the best moment in the first half of the season: the first half against Schonnebeck. I think that was the best we played all season. It was almost flawless, the only small drawback was that we “only” led 2-0. But this first half is our benchmark, because if we can keep that up for 90 minutes, then we will be successful.
… the worst moments: I don’t think we were ever worse in the first half of the season. If we lost, it was more because of a lack of experience. The game against TVD Velbert, for example, ended 3-0, but the opposing coach also said to us that it was never a 3-0 game. They get in front of goal three times and score three goals, we have ten hundred percent chances and don’t score. I think our efficiency in front of goal cost us points at the beginning. You could also mention the game in Uerdingen, where we led 3-1 after 69 minutes, scored another man on the line and suddenly the game turned and we lost 3-4. But that also happens because we have a very young, inexperienced team.
… the goals for 2024: We don’t have to get promoted at any cost, and the club doesn’t want that either. Instead, we have to build a team and grow together. If we confirm the first half of the season and this time take the points that we unnecessarily left behind, then that’s progress and we’ll see what it’s enough for. We know we can beat any team in this league. It’s important that the boys stay hungry and always want more. Regarding personnel, it looks like Kenan Hreljic will be back in the new year, which would be like a new signing. Then we are still looking for someone in an offensive role and a defensive midfielder or defensive midfielder.