U23s defeat RW Oberhausen in friendly | OneFootball

After trailing twice, coach Jan Zimmermann's U23s defeated Regionalliga Rot-Weiss Oberhausen 3-2 in a friendly match on Friday afternoon (22 March). Falko Michel, Moses Otuali and Ayman Azhil scored the goals for BVB.

A number of Black & Yellows players were able to make their return to the pitch at the youth stadium in Dortmund-Brackel on Friday after a long lay-off: centre-back Jonah Husseck, who played his last match for BVB's U19s in Verl in September 2022, and striker Justin Butler, who had been sorely missed since the away win in Dresden.

Silas Ostrzinski received a late call-up for the U20 Germany national team, so Leon Klussmann replaced him in goal in the first half, making his first appearance for BVB since October 2020, when he played for the U19s against RW Essen. Marian Kirsch, who was also back in action after a long break, then kept goal for the hosts in the second half. Three long-term absentees - Paul Besong, Guillermo Bueno and Sammy Bamba - had already celebrated their comeback at the weekend in Essen. They all started against Oberhausen.

RWO took a 1-0 lead around the 20-minute mark from a corner kick. Down the other end, Paul Besong was fouled in the penalty area shortly before half-time. Falko Michel stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick to level the scores at 1-1. BVB had far more possession, allowed the visitors little to no opportunities from open play and repeatedly carved out good chances for themselves.

But again it was the away side who took the lead: striker Cottrell Esekwem capped off an impressive solo run with a dinked finish over BVB keeper Marian Kirsch to make it 2-1. BVB didn't let their heads drop and drew themselves back level after a strong attacking move down the right flank was finished off by Moses Otuali, who fired the ball home from 12 metres out. Shortly afterwards, Julian Hettwer had two chances in quick succession to give the Black & Yellows the lead, but he was foiled first by the goalkeeper and then by the woodwork. In the end, it was midfielder Ayman Azhil, who came on as a substitute for captain Franz Pfanne, who scored the winning goal to make it 3-2.

The Black & Yellow U23s will pick things up in the 3. Liga on 30 April, when they host Waldhof Mannheim in the Rote Erde stadium (kick-off 14:00 CET).

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