Report
After Rotor Kreuzberg narrowly beat FCKPI to promotion by goal difference on the first Bunte Liga matchday, which also included a heated match between FCKPII and Rotor, FCKP hardly needed any more motivation beat their local rivals in a friendly match at Prendener on the following Wednesday evening.
FCKP ran out eventual victors, twice coming from behind to win 5-3.
It was a fine, sunny evening and the match started with both teams enjoying possession and trying to build attacks from the back with smooth passing football. Some good pressing, interceptions and decisive passing on the counter from Rotor led to them taking a two goal lead as we took time to warm to the task. Bart was unable to prevent us conceding for both goals, as the first was a hard, low finish and the other an unfortunate own goal from Tim. As Rotor sat back and tried to absorb pressure while looking to counter, we slowly started to find more time on the ball and get into their groove, having some good spells of possession and pressing high up the pitch when not on the ball.
We had a few good chances and managed to pull one back after a low cross from Marian on the left forced an own goal. Searching for the equaliser, the Rotor keeper was forced into a few good saves and watched a few shots narrowly miss, but Amir finally managed to level the scores to 2-2 with a smart finish after failing to capitalize on previous chances.
With the scores level, the dynamic of the game changed and both teams were looking for the third as the sun slowly set. It took a special strike in the top corner from distance to beat Bart in goals to put Rotor ahead again, but we managed to keep up our momentum and continued to push forward in search of another goal. In the end, a good run and shot from Ezequiel P forced a save, but he was there to carry the ball over the line for the second equalizer.
At this point, our continued pressure started to pay off under the floodlit pitch. Despite Rotor having a larger squad, they started to tire and our determination led to us dominating the remainder of the match. Tim managed to finally put us ahead with a fourth and Amir scored the fifth and his second goal of the evening after good passing moves.
Pablo was solid at the back throughout as the last man, and although we still have to work on passing and movement without the ball, we had the majority of chances and were only denied more goals from good saves or the lack of a clinical finish.
Kindly invited to play a friendly match during Rotor’s weekly training, it was a good chance for us to practice and improve and it turned out to be a great match!
Players
Bart, Marian (C), James, Pablo, Adonis, Clément, Amir, Tim, Ezequiel P
Goals
Amir x2, Tim, Ezequiel P
Report by James Topping
