Second friendly also turns into a goal festival

In sweltering summer temperatures, Mainz 05’s first-team players secured their next win of pre-season. Head coach Urs Fischer’s side left no doubt at any point against Oberliga side Sportfreunde Eisbachtal and cruised to a 10-0 victory. Sporting director Niko Bungert was pleased with the way pre-season has gone so far after the game: “It was a very successful friendly, especially when you look at the conditions. The lads did very well, took the game seriously in both halves and were able to reward themselves quickly as a result.”

Compared to the first friendly, Marco Richter was involved from the start. Hyun-seok Hong and Ben Bobzien were also involved for the first time, featuring in the second half.

First half lineup: Zentner - Gruber, Nebel, Tietz, Königsdörffer, Bøving, Maloney, Richter, Hanche-Olsen, Kohr (C), Nakuzola (U23) 

FSV make flying start

A fast-paced game developed from the outset, largely due to the hosts’ bold midfield pressing. This allowed Mainz to repeatedly make use of their pace and quickly get in behind the defensive line. The first goals of the match arrived accordingly quickly: after a fine run in behind from Paul Nebel, it was Tietz, as in the first friendly, who scored the early opener (1’). A minute later, his strike partner Königsdörffer capitalised on a mistake in Eisbachtal’s build-up play and made it 2-0 (3’). After this quickfire double, Eisbachtal stabilised and offered FSV more resistance. The hosts bravely looked for footballing solutions, impressed with some attractive passing moves in build-up play and twice forced Robin Zentner into sharp reflex saves. FSV’s third goal was also finished in convincing fashion. After a precise switch of play from Kohr, Hanche-Olsen struck cleanly from distance to make it 3-0 (12’). Mainz remained on top after that, but were repeatedly denied by Sportfreunde goalkeeper David Arnold, who impressed with several strong reflex saves. After the drinks break, however, Arnold had to pick the ball out of his net for a fourth time. Königsdörffer placed his header with precision to complete his first brace in Mainz colours (29’). His strike partner Tietz was not about to let that stand and made it 5-0 shortly before half-time (41’).

Second half lineup : Kinzig - Martel, Hong, Bell (C), Da Costa, Becker, Kawasaki, Bobzien, Weiper, Potulski

The second half also began with two quick goals: this time, Kawasaki (46’) and Weiper (48’) struck shortly after half-time to make it 7-0. Eisbachtal then became a little more defensive and dropped deeper into their own half, while FSV played around the Eisbachtal penalty area with sustained pressure. As in the first half, it was Mainz’s strike duo who eventually broke through the defence. After Weiper was unable to turn in Becker’s shot against the post (58’), he did better in the 64th minute, finishing neatly to make it 8-0. In the closing stages, Mainz crowned their performance: Potulski headed in to make it 9-0 (81’), before Weiper completed his hat-trick to seal the 10-0 final score (89’).

Next Friday will bring the first real test of pre-season. Mainz 05 will host 1. FC Kaiserslautern behind closed doors at Bruchweg (15:30). This match will also be broadcast live on 05ER.tv.

Eisbachtaler Sportfreunde - 1. FSV Mainz 05 0:10 (0:5)

Goals:   0-1 & 0-5 Tietz (1st & 41st), 0-2 & 0-4 Königsdörffer (3rd & 29th), 0-3 Hanche-Olsen (12th), 0-6 Kawasaki (46th), 0-7, 0-8 & 0-10 Weiper (48th, 64th & 89th), 0-9 Potulski (81st) 

Attendance: 1200
Referee : Marlon Manderfeld (Lukas Heep, Janik Schütz)