The U19 team of Ahrweiler BC completed two more tough tests over the weekend – with quite different impressions.
On Saturday, the team of head coach Maxwell Lunga played away against Mittelrheinliga newcomers FC Rheinsüd Köln. The oldest ABC youth squad completely slept through the opening phase, appearing sloppy and lacking defensive pressure, especially in the first half. Memories of their first test matches right after the summer break resurfaced. Although the Rheinlandliga team improved in the second half, it did little to change the clear 1-5 (0-3) defeat. The consolation goal was scored by new signing Finn Patschulla (photo: right) from a penalty kick.
Just 24 hours later, the next match was scheduled: on the central pitch in Bad Neuenahr, ABC hosted FV Wiehl from Oberberg, a team from the Mittelrhein district league. This time, Lunga's team appeared more alert from the start and kept the opponent busy defensively in the first half. Mathis Schmidgen equalized to make it 1-1 in the 39th minute. After the break, however, the strain from the doubleheader and the high summer temperatures became noticeable. In the final minutes, the visitors had more energy – and used it to score two goals, resulting in a 1-3 final score.
The match against the district league team as well as the upcoming tests next weekend against JFV Siebengebirge and JSG Erft 01 Euskirchen – both also from the district league – are considered groundbreaking indicators with regard to the Rheinlandliga season opener.