U19s on course with 4-0 win

After an effective second half, the Bayer 04 U19s clocked up a 4-0 win against MSV Duisburg on matchday three in the Under-19 Bundesliga West to end the week with a second victory at the start of the Bundesliga campaign following the 1-0 success against Arminia Bielefeld.

As in the match against Bielefeld, the game against the ‘Zebras’ youth side proved to be a test of patience. The visitors sat back and waited to play on the break. "We had to be patient and rely on our possession game," explained coach Markus von Ahlen.

FEW CHANCES AT FIRST

Neither side succeeded in breaking through the opposition defences in the first half. Duisburg were awarded a free kick in the Bayer 04 box following a back pass to goalkeeper Tomasz Kucz but they failed to take advantage. At the other end, Güven Yalcin missed with a long-range effort on 16 minutes.

The U19 coaching duo of Ahlen/Metaxas reorganised their team at half-time and brought on Ömer Tokac up front. The Bayer 04 youngsters gradually upped the pressure.

More pressure in second half

Yalcin hit the outside of the net with a shot from a tight angle on 46 minutes. A goal for the hosts was then disallowed due to offsides on 50 minutes. At the other end, Jan Boller succeeded in clearing off the line when a counter-attack by Duisburg ended with Kucz beaten on 51 minutes.

It all changed on 56 minutes: A long-range effort was deflected to Tokac in the box. He turned quickly and places shot in the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. The dam was broken and the second goal for the U19 team followed 60 seconds later.

AND ANOTHER GOAL

Yalcin gained possession, headed towards the opposition keeper but then picked out the unmarked Tokac who had a simple tap-in from close range on 57 minutes. "The team remained alert and on guard and quickly scored another goal," said von Ahlen.

The match was wrapped up 15 minutes later. In quick succession, Yalcin (71'), converted a rebound, and Riccardo Grym (73'), turned a deflected ball into the net, to make it 4-0. Victory was assured.

NEXT OPPONENTS: FC Köln

The U19s are involved in a derby on matchday four. On Saturday at 11.00 CET, the Bayer 04 youngsters are away to FC Köln who lost their last away game 2-0 Schalke 04.

MATCH STATS:

Bayer 04 U19: Kucz - Stappmann, Boller, Grym, Schreck, Yalcin (Songue 80’), Shala (Schneider 77’), Samoura, Bukusu (Tokac 46’), Fragapane (Schaus 77’), Akkaynak.

 MSV Duisburg U19: Dos Santos Haesler - Wieschhaus, Schmeling (Selvi 83’), Gembalies, Kubina (Osei 69’), Funk, Umar (Pakowski 85’), Post, Pia (Steinrötter 71’), Sabanci, Özkara.

 Goals: 1-0 Tokac (56’), 2-0 Tokac (57’), 3-0 Yalcin (71’), 4-0 Grym (73’).
Booked: Fragpane - Funk.
Referee: Schäfer (Iserlohn).
Attendance: 271.