Top Match in the Region League Northeast: On Sunday, our FC Viktoria Berlin women hosted the league leaders, Union Berlin. Despite cold temperatures and a rain-soaked pitch, the two best teams in the league delivered a hard-fought battle.
Many Injuries Complicate The Situation.
FC Viktoria had to do without several key players: Nina Ehegötz, Vanessa Lux, and Danya Barsalona were three who where unable to line up.
The game was dominated by defensive play, with both backlines standing firm, leaving little room for breakthroughs. No surprise there, as the two best defences in the league were facing off. Viktoria relied on counterattacks and had an early chance in the ninth minute when Louise Trapp broke through on the right. Captain Marlies Sänger and Laura Casanovas—playing up front today—were in the box, but Union goalkeeper Melanie Wagner had the ball safely under control.
For Union, Naika Reissner was the one causing the most trouble, constantly picking up the pace, but Anouk Dekker and Anna Höfker consistently shut her down. Höfker, in particular, was outstanding throughout the match with multiple crucial interventions.
Union Capitalises on a Defensive Lapse
The game was tight for a long time, with most of the play happening between the two penalty areas. However, after about half an hour, Union Berlin began to take control. They took advantage of a throw-in near the right corner flag, with Lisa Heiseler left completely unmarked, allowing her to slot in the opener for Union. Viktoria keeper Inga Buchholz managed to get a hand on it, tipping the ball onto the inside of the post—but it still went in (31’).
It was a bitter goal to concede, especially since Viktoria’s defence had been so solid. Offensively, the Sky Blues (Himmelblauen) were not intimidated by the league’s only professional team, pressing high at times and creating chances with through passes—but Union often managed to get a crucial foot in at the last moment.
The Only Pro Team in the League Pulls Ahead
FC Viktoria came out of halftime with energy. In the first minute, the team, coached by Dennis Galleski, pushed forward, but referee Christine Weigelt called it offside (46’). Shortly after, Carol Cázares blocked a shot from Naika Reissner, but just two minutes later, Union scored their second goal. After a strong solo run by Sarah Abu Sabbah, Buchholz stood no chance (54’). From there, the difference in fitness levels became apparent. While Viktoria’s energy was fading, Union’s players still looked as fresh as ever.
With the substitutions of Kim Urbanek and Corinna Statz, Viktoria got another boost, and Aylin Yaren also stepped up her game. But Union intercepted and scored their third goal off a corner, with Dina Oschmann making it 3-0 (77’).
Comeback For Dilara Agac
Despite the loss, it was still a special day for FC Viktoria: our players put up a strong fight against the league leaders, and the first half was particularly even. And, after more than a year and a half, Dilara Agac made her comeback in a Viktoria shirt. She had to be subbed off just 15 minutes into the opening match of the 2022/23 Region League season in August 2022, with the diagnosis: ACL tear. After multiple surgeries and a long rehab process, she was subbed in the 85th minute—ironically, against the same team she had been injured against. The cheers were loud, and once again, welcome back!
This defeat leaves Union Berlin six points ahead of us. The championship will be tough to take from them, as they haven’t dropped a single point so far. For Viktoria, the next game is on April 7th in Dresden against 1. FFC Fortuna. The following week, on April 14th, we have our next home game, against RB Leipzig II. Later that same week, we face Blau-Weiß Hohen-Neuendorf in the Berlin Cup semi-final. Winning that match would secure us a place in the DFB-Pokal for next season.
Line-up:
Buchholz - Grosch (85. Wasiak), Höfker, Dekker, Cázares (85. Agac) - Stulin, Friedl (85. Gerken) - Yaren, Sänger (71. Statz), Trapp - Casanovas (62. Urbanek)
Goals:
0-1 Heiseler (31’)
0-2 Abu Sabbah (54’)
0-3 D. Oschmann (79’)
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