U17s stay in top spot with 1-1 draw in Wolfsburg

The Borussia Dortmund U17s defended their lead at the top of DFB-Nachwuchsliga main round Group A with a 1-1 draw in their top match away to VfL Wolfsburg.

"We lost 1-1 after our best performance of the season so far,” said coach Karsten Gorges, whose disappointment was written all over his face. BVB had dominated their opponents, put their stamp on the match and registered plenty of opportunities to extend their early lead courtesy of Ahmad Najdi's goal (seventh minute). The team linked up impressively, played with variety going forward and did not allow their opponents any chances at the back. The only shortcoming was that the final pass sometimes lacked the precision needed to create more clear-cut chances.

It was telling that the home team, who had won their opening games away to Union Berlin (1-0) and at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-0), needed an Elisee Blessing penalty to get back on level terms in the 69th minute. The Black & Yellows hit back with even greater attacking pressure. "We also lacked that little bit of luck in many moments," Gorges stated. Ahmad Najdi, for example, could only hit the post in the closing stages following a great attacking move involving several players.

"The way that we performed in Wolfsburg whets the appetite for more” said an enthusiastic Gorges. The only downside was that Tom Lasse Faust had to be brought off at half-time due to an ankle injury and will not be available for the all-Borussia battle in Mönchengladbach on Sunday. On the flip side, Justin Hoy will return to the squad following a long injury lay-off. Niklas König, Diego Branco and Niklas Damberg, who came on as substitutes against VfL, will also offer alternative options at the end of the exhausting English week.

U17s: Froese – Kolano (Damberg, 90), Riedl, Ritter, Adje (König, 89) – Fahrenhorst, Faust (Branco, 46) – Duarte dos Santos – Mirza, Najdi, Zarqelain (Kusi, 87).

wiwi