By Matthew Koch
In the second test match, Union conceded its first goals and its first bankruptcy. Three days after the 2-0 win at regional list Luckenwalde, Hungarian Cup winners Zalaegerszegi TE FC suffered a deserved 3-2 defeat.
The day trip with the journey of around 700 kilometers brought a rude awakening for players and fans. After 17 seconds (!) the ball was in the Union net.
Defender Paul Jaeckel played far too short from the center line to goalkeeper Jakob Busk. What a buck! Sajban Mate splashed in between and scored to make it 1-0.
Union didn’t seem shocked. Tim Skarke (3rd) and Mikkel Kaufmann (5th) could have equalized quickly. Attacker Kaufmann was the only new signing in the first half, alongside Alex Kral in the six, in muggy temperatures of around 30 degrees.
The hosts, who are further along in the preparations, then took control. After a bad pass from Busk, Mate struck again to make it 2-0 (27th). Union looked flat after the last few days of training. But instead of a possible third or fourth goal, Kaufmann was able to reduce the lead to 2-1 after a pass from Kevin Behrens (45’/+1′).
Union made six changes during the break. Goalkeeper Yannic Stein made it 3-1 with another slapstick (47 ‘) when he let Ubochioma Meshack take the ball from him in the penalty area.
Coach Urs Fischer made five changes in the 58th minute. Also among the newcomers were loan debutants Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) and David Datro Fofana (Chelsea London).
Both left a strong impression despite the short playing time. Striker Fofana launched dangerous attacks (67′, 76′, 81′). Midfielder Aaronson even scored the goal with a low shot to make it 3:2 (89th). Midfielder Aissa Laidouni, who used to play for Ferencvaros Budapest in Hungary and was received with applause, almost equalized (90./+1).
Coach Urs Fischer (57): “In the first half we made too many mistakes and lost the balls too easily. In some situations we were too hectic. I think it was better in the second half. But we started again with a big mistake with the goal to make it 3-1. You saw the difference. The opponent is closer to the start of the season. We still have four weeks to prepare for the first competitive game.”
On Wednesday (6.15 p.m.) Union fans can finally see their team at home. Rapid Vienna will then be guests in the An der Alten Försterei stadium.
Zalaegerszegi TE FC – 1. FC Union Berlin 3-2 (2-1)
Union: Busk (46 Stein) – Jaeckel (46 Doekhi), Knoche (58 Kemlein), Heintz (46 Leite) – Skarke (46 Trimmel), Kral (46 Khedira), Roussillon (58 Dehl) – Thorsby (58th Aaronson), Pantovic (58th Laidouni) – Behrens (46th Jordan), Kaufmann (58th Fofana).
Goals: 1-0 (1st) Mate, 2-0 (27th) Mate, 2-1 (45th / +1) Kaufmann, 3-1 (47th) Meshack, 3-2 (89th) Aaronson.