After drawing 2-2 with Mexico in the opening match Germany faced another thriller in the second game – and the team coached by Horst Hrubesch again showed great commitment to the cause. As in the encounter with Mexico the German team succeeded in coming from behind twice to get a result against South Korea with former Werkself pro Heung-Min Son in their line-up. The opening goal from Hwang on 25 minutes was cancelled out a Serge Gnabry strike on 33 minutes with Brandt providing the assist. The live wire Brandt fired in a shot on goal but the Korea keeper Kim turned it away for a corner. Germany took a 2-1 lead through Davie Selke (55’) but Son levelled two minutes later. A Brandt volley flew past the upright on 85 minutes. With three minutes to play the Koreans regained the lead but a deflected effort from Gnabry in added time found the back of the net to make it 3-3.
Germany escaped an early exit from the Olympic football tournament at the last minute – and their fate is back in their own hands. If the match between Mexico and South Korea on Wednesday produces a winner then Germany only need to beat Fiji in Belo Horizonte to progress to the quarter-final stage as group runners-up. If Mexico and South Korea draw then Bender, Brandt and Co. will need to win by five goals to overtake Mexico who beat Fiji 5-1. South Korea secured an 8-0 victory over Fiji in their first match.
“It was a nail-biter and I would have preferred an easier game,” admitted Hrubesch. “But we’re still in it!” The Germany coach feared in added time, “that I would have to congratulate our opponents but then I said: We’ll get another chance – and that’s what happened.”
Women earn point late on
The Germany women’s team with Annike Krahn also earned a last-minute reprieve to make good a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 draw with Australia. Sabrina Däbritz netted the first before Saskia Bartusiak forced an Australian own goal. Germany, on four points, are one ahead of Australia. The final group match is against leaders Canada on six points. Krahn was substituted at half-time.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Kennet Eichhorn for the time being. Following specialist medical examinations, the new signing from Berlin has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder requiring treatment. This was preceded by excessive physical strain and weight loss, partly as a result of a gastrointestinal condition.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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