Viktoria Köln in the 3rd division on Tuesday evening drove up a narrow away win at Stuttgart II – and can continue to dream of climbing.
Laurin Ulrich (9th minute) put the hosts in the lead, Cologne Said El Mala (13th) and Serhat-Semih Güler turned the game to 2: 1 (1: 1) away.
The three points against the relegation candidate temporarily let the Cologne team jump into fifth place, the ranks of ascent are not far away – despite mixed results in the past few weeks.
Cologne El Mala counters dream goal
Ulrich’s dreamy free kick hit the Cologne team initially fell behind. But top talent Said El Mala immediately countered the gate with his 10-season goal: Güler dynamically prevailed against his opponent in the penalty area and put across El Mala, who only had to insert.
The draw was deserved in the balanced half. Both teams achieved opportunities without being the dominant eleven each.
The entertaining game also went back and forth in the second round. Stuttgart’s Benjamin Boakye met the post (63.) with his low shot, five minutes later Güler put himself in the limelight. Niklas May’s exemplary flank used Viktoria’s goal scorer ice cold.
In the final phase, the Stuttgart team made a lot of steam again, Viktoria’s goalkeeper Dudu had to intervene several times, but held the tight victory – and thus the quiet hops of promotion of the Viktoria alive.
Victorias more exciting Season end sprint
In addition to the promotion option, the finale in the Middle Rhine Cup is also waiting for Cologne, in which Viktoria meets Fortuna Cologne or Alemannia Aachen on May 24th. After that, coach Olaf Janßen will leave the club after four and a half years at his own request – ideally as a promoted and association cup winner.
The Viktoria Arminia Bielefeld will receive the NRW duel next Sunday (7 p.m.).
Our sources:
- Third league game between Stuttgart II and Viktoria Cologne (Magenta)
