Posch and Weiper strike true and Widmer sets one up

As preparations for FSV’s upcoming trip to TSG Hoffenheim on Bundesliga matchday 28 (Saturday, 4th April, 15:30 CEST) got underway this weekend, a number of Mainz stars were otherwise engaged. Multiple 05ers were busy representing their national sides, with a handful able to celebrate what will surely be memorable moments in their careers to date.

Three Mainz players with direct goal contributions

Germany U21 recorded a crucial home win against Northern Ireland on Friday, with the side determined to give it their all this international break in the quest for a spot at next summer’s European Championship. Nelson Weiper was substituted on in the 85th minute, and wrote his name on the scoresheet just five minutes later with a goal to truly wrap up the comprehensive win. Germany will now turn their full focus to Tuesday night’s game away at Greece. Weiper and co. will need to take all three points from the 18:00 CEST kick-off at the group leaders if they want to guarantee a spot at the U21 EUROs.

Another side to enjoy a very successful Friday night was Austria, who defeated visitors Ghana 5-1 in Vienna. Mainz’s very own Stefan Posch was named in the starting line-up for the demolition job, playing 82 minutes in total and even managing to net his side’s third of the night. Phillipp Mwene also began the game, playing 47 minutes on the night. Austria’s next task will come on Tuesday night, when Posch, Mwene and their countrymen kick off against South Korea at 20:45 CEST – a game that will see the Mainz pair face fellow 05er Jae-sung Lee.

Silvan Widmer and the Switzerland national team had an action-packed Friday night as well, although ultimately a less successful one than Austria. The side fell 4-3 at home to Germany, with Widmer playing the first 45 minutes of the thriller and providing the assist to the goal that put Switzerland 2-1 ahead in the 41st minute. Widmer and co. are back in action on Tuesday night as well, with a friendly match away at Norway scheduled for 18:00 CEST.

South Korea suffer heavy defeat, Japan secure tight victory.

Jae-sung Lee watched from the bench as South Korea suffered a 4-0 friendly defeat in Milton Keynes at the hands of Ivory Coast. The team will hope to improve their fortunes on Tuesday night, as they face Austria in Vienna at 20:45 CEST.

Japan, by contrast, were able to enjoy a more successful night in the UK, as they defeated hosts Scotland 1-0 in a tight contest. Kaishu Sano didn’t feature for his national side – something he’ll hope will change as Japan come up against England on Tuesday at 20:45 CEST.

Suriname defeated in World Cup play-off match, Poland U21 victorious

For Suriname and Sheraldo Becker, the dream of a first World Cup appearance is over – the team lost 2-1 away at Bolivia in the play-offs, with the Mainz forward brought on in the 84th minute. With no further fixtures planned for Suriname, Becker is heading back to Germany sooner than expected.

It was a successful outing for Poland U21 last week, with Kacper Potulski and co. running out 4-1 winners against Armenia in a U21 EUROs qualifier. FSV’s centre-back starlet played the full 90 minutes for his nation, and will be hoping to repeat the feat when Poland face Montenegro on Tuesday at 14:00 CEST.