2-0 win in Cologne: U17s on track for final round

The Borussia Dortmund U17s have won their top match away to 1. FC Köln in the B-Junior Bundesliga West 2-0 and are close to qualifying for the final round of the German Championship with three matchdays remaining. Marco Lehmann's team produced a highly focused performance at the Franz-Kremer-Stadion.

The team cemented second spot in the table behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who will face third-placed Schalke 04 next weekend. Even without key performers such as Nick Cherny, Oliver Blaszczyk, Tyler Meiser (all injured), Elias Benkara and Ousmane Diallo (both with the U19s), the Black & Yellows dominated the match against an 1. FC Köln that had been unbeaten in the second half-season. "In terms of the football and the fighting spirit, it was an A+," raved Marco Lehmann.

His lads had immediately seized control of the match and created the first opportunities against an opponent that improved significantly over the course of the first period and forced the visiting defence and goalkeeper Leon Herdes in a state of high alert. BVB nonetheless took in an unendangered 1-0 lead, which came courtesy of Tim Degener's goal in the 18th minute after a fine move initiated by Fritz Fleck, at the half-time break.

Borussia Dortmund dominated the second half and did not allow their opponents any more chances. When Diego Ngambia Dzonga made it 2-0 following a cross from Len Wörsdörfer, the resistance from a Köln side that had previously been so strong faded. "We were even sharper off the ball and deserved to win in the end," said a beaming Marco Lehmann.

In Brakel in the cup, then home to Duisburg

The back three, which included the two youngsters Luca Riedl (14) and Luca Reggiani (16) plus captain Jonas Feddersen, earned special praise. "They were top from the first to the last minute," praised Lehmann. Tim Degener and Mussa Kaba worked tirelessly in defensive midfield, while the attack-minded bank of four featuring Valon Cena, Fritz Fleck, Justin Hoy and Len Wörsdörfer functioned optimally and striker Diego Ngambia Dzonga continued from where he had left off prior to his long-term injury: he finished off his goal in clinical fashion to round off the scoring at 2-0.

The U17s will be away to SpVg. Brakel in the Westfalenpokal on Wednesday, before hosting MSV Duisburg in their third from last league fixture next Saturday.

U17s: Herdes - Cena, Riedl (Nwofor, 82), Reggiani, Feddersen - Kaba, Degener - Fleck (Schwarz, 69), Wörsdörfer (Mahjoubi, 77), Hoy (Tazemeta, 77) - Ngambi (Burstedde, 69)
(wiwi)