In cool temperatures and under the last rays of the day's sun, FC Viktoria once again faced Blau-Weiß Hohen Neuendorf in the semi-finals of the Berlin Cup, just like last year. However, unlike the 2022/23 season’s narrow 2-1 victory, this time the score was a convincing 6-0 win.
Yaren With A Brace
The direction of the match was set early on: Less than three minutes in, Stephanie Gerken put the ball over the line after a cross (3'). Viktoria dominated the game, with little to no response from Hohen Neuendorf, and it wasn’t long before the second goal came. After a powerful run down to the goal line, Louise Trapp crossed from the right to Aylin Yaren in the centre of the box, who puts the ball in the net, 2-0 (15').
The game was effectively decided early on, and even during Hohen Neuendorf’s short spells of possession, there was no threat. Instead, Viktoria continued to create chances. Viktoria was particularly frustrated when Kim Urbanek hit the post, feeling they could have had even more goals on the board. It wasn’t until just before halftime, with the very last action of the first half, that Yaren secured her brace from close range (45'+2).
Comebacks & Debuts Against Hohen Neuendorf
Both teams returned unchanged from the locker rooms. However, Viktoria eased off a little on the pitch, not pushing as much, though they didn’t need to. Still, they had plenty to celebrate, and it wasn’t just goals.
Leyila Aydin, returning after a fairly long injury break, was subbed on and scored the fourth goal, her second for Viktoria (70'). A little more than ten minutes later, Laura Casanovas also netted her second goal for Viktoria (83') and shortly after, her third, to seal the 6-0 final score (88'). In between these two goals, Eunice Beckmann, who had been out with a long-term injury, made her debut for FC Viktoria to loud applause. She’s been with the team since August, but against Hohen Neuendorf, she was included in the squad for the first time and made her debut.
Cup Final!
On May 19th, we’ll head into the Berlin Cup final. Our opponent is still to be determined, as Union Berlin and Stern 1900 will face off on Thursday, a day after Viktoria’s match.
But before that, we’re back in league action: On Sunday, April 21st, we’ll play our third home game in a week, hosting Hertha BSC for the city derby! We’ve got some unfinished business with them.
Line-up:
Buchholz - Grosch (64’ Friedl), Dekker, Sänger, Cazares - Stulin (64’ Aydin), Gerken - Sarr, Yaren (76’ Casanovas), Trapp (64’ Ehegötz) - Urbanek (82’ Beckmann).
Goals:
1-0 Gerken (3')
2-0 Yaren (15')
3-0 Yaren (45'+2)
4-0 Aydin (70')
5-0 Casanovas (83')
6-0 Casanovas (88')
Comments