League

Rothenberge
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Eiko Köhler got the match started through his kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Erik Wegmann in the 3rd minute of play forced MSV Duisburg's goalkeeper Christoph Schardt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 5th match minute, Manchester City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Domenico Paul to maneuver through the defense. In the 6th minute of the match Leandros Jahn sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Luis Schnurrer skillfully saved the ball. Birger Pfützner's late challenge caught a Manchester City's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Birger Pfützner helped the player get up and apologised. Christoph Schardt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Timm Schräder in the 8th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Eiko Köhler in the 9th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Christoph Schardt prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When the match had gone on for 14 minutes, Franz Hasselbach took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Luis Schnurrer to make any attempt to save it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eiko Köhler in the 17th minute of play forced MSV Duisburg's goalkeeper Christoph Schardt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Battista Pechkopf could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Luis Schnurrer made a huge save. MSV Duisburg's Christoph Schardt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Timm Schräder in the 24th minute of play. In the 27th minute, Domenico Paul hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience was convinced that Franz Hasselbach's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Luis Schnurrer was relentless in the 28th minute of the game. 33 minutes into the game, MSV Duisburg's Battista Pechkopf nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Luis Schnurrer made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. Franz Hasselbach received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 39th minute. Luis Schnurrer tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The crowd rose to their feet as Battista Pechkopf kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Luis Schnurrer. That made the score 3-0 in the 42 minute of play. Christoph Schardt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Timm Schräder, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 3-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Franz Hasselbach was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, MSV Duisburg's goal looked a bit too open when Eiko Köhler came free, but Christoph Schardt reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 54 minutes, Battista Pechkopf managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. MSV Duisburg's supporters crossed their fingers, but Battista Pechkopf was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Luis Schnurrer showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Franz Hasselbach in the 57th minute of the match. 63 minutes into the game, Eiko Köhler lined in a short shot 3-1 behind a frustrated Christoph Schardt. In the 66th match minute, MSV Duisburg was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Christian Narten to maneuver through the defense. Timm Schräder could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 68th minute of the match, but Christoph Schardt made a huge save. After 72 played minutes Manchester City got a freekick which was hit by Drees Stolle. 72 minutes into the match, Manchester City's goal looked a bit too open when Leandros Jahn came free, but Luis Schnurrer reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Christoph Schardt had great luck who in the 77thth minute grab hold of the ball when Eiko Köhler from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. Luis Schnurrer made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Franz Hasselbach in the 80th minute of play. Eiko Köhler hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. If Franz Hasselbach had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience thought a goal was coming when Eiko Köhler got free with Christoph Schardt in the 93rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. MSV Duisburg's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.