Around 7,000 fans of 1. FC Kaiserslautern accompanied their team to Wiesbaden and transformed the game into a home game. But in the end they were not rewarded for it. FCK lost 1:2 (1:1) in Wiesbaden. John Iredale and Ahmet Gürleyen scored for the Hessians. Hendrick Zuck scored FCK’s equaliser.
Furious initial phase between FCK and Wehen Wiesbaden
The game started with a setback for FCK. The Red Devils left Wiesbaden’s Benedict Hollerbach too much space on the left. John Iredale used his cross to make it 1-0 for the hosts (2nd minute). But Lautern was not deterred by this. Hendrick Zuck equalized in the 9th minute with a penalty. Daniel Hanslik had previously been fouled in the penalty area.
Hippe replaced Kraus in FCK’s defence
Wiesbaden, who really don’t care about anything anymore in the middle of the table in the 3rd division, presented themselves passionately, didn’t lose a duel and tried to pose problems for FCK with quick counterattacks. The Red Devils, with Maximilian Hippe replacing the suspended defender Kevin Kraus, needed a few minutes to find order on the defensive. After the turbulent initial phase, the game flattened out. The hustle and bustle then set in again in the middle of the first half: After intensive duels, a pack developed at the center line. Referee Florian Badstübner showed Wiesbaden’s Bjarke Jacobsen and Lautern’s Hikmet Ciftci yellow.
Wunderlich and Hippe miss FCK leadership
The Red Devils then had chances to take the lead just before the break. They were awarded an indirect free kick in the penalty area after Wiesbaden keeper Florian Stritzel caught a rebound with his hands that was interpreted as a back pass. Mike Wunderlich’s free kick was blocked and Hippe’s follow-up shot just missed the goal. The game went into the break 1-1.
FCK coach Antwerp brings Klingenburg to the break
At the start of the second half, some fans of FCK Pyrotechnik burned down. FCK coach Marco Antwerp brought René Klingenburg into the game for Hippe. The Red Devils needed about ten minutes to create more chances. First Philipp Hercher failed with a low shot, then Terrence Boyd couldn’t push the ball past Stritzel in the Wiesbaden goal. The hosts also had a few dangerous actions, but Lautern played much more powerfully. With 20 minutes left Kenny Prince Redondo had another chance after a Boyd pass, but Stritzel saved his shot.
Another deficit after a mistake by FCK goalkeeper Raab
Out of nowhere, the hosts took the lead again. Ahmet Gürleyen scored to make it 2-1 (73rd minute) after FCK keeper Matheo Raab unluckily fended off a corner kick. Gürleyen dusted off. The Red Devils had to recover from this renewed setback for a few moments before starting their final offensive. However, it was no longer enough for a draw against passionately fighting Wiesbadeners. FCK remains at 63 points and no longer has direct promotion in their own hands for the time being. The fans who had traveled with them applauded their team after the final whistle anyway.
Source: SWR