SV Meppen surprisingly won the last home game in their six-year third division affiliation with 4:1 (0:1) against SG Dynamo Dresden. The Emslanders, who were relegated, thus provided VfL Osnabrück with support in the fight for promotion.
Because the “Purple-Whites” can now complete direct promotion with a win against Borussia Dortmund’s U23s next Saturday. Dresden, who would have overtaken VfL if they had won at SVM, is sixth, one point behind Osnabrück.
Bruno Gabriel Soares (69th), Sascha Risch (78th), Jonas Fedl (82nd) and Marek Janssen (90th + 2) scored for the Meppen victory. The great performance of the traditional club and the eighth win of the season did not change anything about the relegation of Lower Saxony. He was already confirmed last Saturday after Hallesches FC’s 2-0 win over Rot-Weiss Essen.
Meppen with a courageous performance despite relegation
There was no sign of resignation from the home side from the start, despite their relegation. The Emsländer, who have now been unbeaten five times in a row, showed a very courageous performance and thus met Middendorp’s request to mobilize their last reserves of strength in the two remaining games.
Finally, the Meppeners are still speculating that a third division club could be denied a license. In this case, 17th place in the table, which Meppen now occupies, would be enough to stay in professional football. On Saturday (05/27/23), SVM will play its final duel against SC Freiburg’s Bundesliga juniors.
Arslan provides for deserved Dresdeners halftime lead
After the draw against Dynamo, Meppen now has all the trumps in the fight for the possibly still significant 17th place, especially since pursuers VfB Oldenburg (two points behind) have to play at Dynamo on Saturday. The appearance against the Saxons should also give the SVM a lot of courage for the business trip to Breisgau.
In the second half in particular, the North Germans played themselves into a frenzy after they had only been able to set offensive accents sporadically in the first 45 minutes. SVM had the first chance of the encounter with a shot by Marvin Pourié, but keeper Stefan Drljaca held it quite effortlessly (4th).
Afterwards, however, Dresden increasingly gained control of the game and, with a few exceptions, had everything under control. The 1-0 half-time lead through Arslan’s converted penalty kick – Willi Evseev had stopped Jonathan Meier with unfair means – was deserved.
Meppen after the break as if intoxicated
After the change of sides, the home side put even more passion into the balance than before and initiated some dangerous attacks. Dresden’s defense was now challenged – and a few times overwhelmed. At first, the starting eleven was still lucky that Meppen did not reward himself for his great effort.
But then luck ran out: Soares rose highest from a free-kick by substitute Marcos Álvarez and equalized. Dynamo defender Kyu-Hyun Park had just seen the yellow-red card (68th). After the 1:1, the guests had nothing more to do against Meppen, who played completely unleashed. Risch after another assist from Álvarez, Fedl and Janssen ensured the success of the relegated team, who appeared like a promoted team after the break.
