Halverkamps scores from distance: Viktoria beat Ingolstadt 1–0 in their Pinktober home match

On matchday 9 of the Women’s 2nd Bundesliga, FC Viktoria Berlin won their Pinktober home match against FC Ingolstadt 04 1–0 (1–0) and remain top of the table with 24 points. Antonia Halverkamps scored the winning goal with a long-range shot into the corner (42’). It is the seventh consecutive league win for coach Miren Ćatović’s team and, at the same time, revenge for the two 1–0 defeats against Ingolstadt last season.

Viktoria set the pace

Cool autumn weather over Lichterfelde and 754 spectators in the stadium: Viktoria, dressed in black, welcomed the white-and-black-clad visitors, who had travelled to the match sitting seventh in the table and on a run of four unbeaten matches in a row. During the warm-up, the players wore Pinktober shirts, some of which were subsequently auctioned off. Together with Pink Ribbon Germany, the club was thus raising awareness of early detection and prevention of breast cancer. The match was streamed live on Leagues.

Both teams went into the challenges with intensity right from the start. Following Ingolstadt’s first corner, Nina Ehegötz had the first shot on goal. Following a brief medical break for the visitors, Viktoria gradually took control. The light blues kept the ball moving, whilst Ingolstadt were still trying to find their defensive shape.

Chances every minute

From the 30th minute onwards, Viktoria became more dangerous: Halverkamps had her first shot on goal, and just two minutes later they came close to taking the lead on two occasions, but the ball refused to cross the line. Shortly afterwards, Nina Ehegötz required medical attention but was able to carry on playing. Melina Reuter had a go in the 38th minute. Ingolstadt’s only shot on goal in the first half, by contrast, came to nothing.

In the 42nd minute, the moment finally arrived: Antonia Halverkamps took aim from around 20 metres and found the top-right corner – 1–0 to Viktoria! After that, the Berlin side kept up the pressure and created chance after chance. Shortly before half-time, an Ingolstadt player was shown a yellow card, and the teams went into the dressing rooms with Viktoria holding a narrow lead.

Viktoria keep up the pressure

Viktoria immediately took control again after the break. Reuter and Ehegötz both had shots on goal, and in the 54th minute the visitors were shown their second yellow card. At the hour mark, manager Ćatović made a double substitution: Senanur Yavuz and Kim Urbanek came on for Reuter and Aneta Polášková (64'). Shortly afterwards, Leyila Aydin tested the visitors (67’), followed by further corners and free-kicks. However, the much-needed second goal refused to materialise. In the 79th minute, Sarah Klotz and Chantal Schouwstra came on for Katharina Krist and Nina Ehegötz.

Berlin hold on to their lead

In the closing stages, Ingolstadt won a number of set-pieces, but the Viktoria defence held firm. After five minutes of added time, the deserved home victory was secured!

With 24 points and a goal difference of 15:5, Viktoria remain top of the table. Hertha BSC, who drew 2–2 in their parallel fixture, follow on 22 points. Ingolstadt remain seventh on 12 points.

We’re back in action on Sunday, 25 October, at 2 pm with an away match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena, currently sixth on 13 points.

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Goal:

1-0 Antonia Halverkamps (42')

Starting XI:

Wagner, Ihlenburg, Reuter (64' Yavuz), Grincenco, Krist (79' Klotz), Halverkamps, Höfker, Polášková (64' Urbanek), Ehegötz (79' Schouwstra), Aydin, Casanovas