Würzburger Kickers don open scoring for their DFB Pokal first round match against FC Cologne for Akon Arena. E be David Abrangao wey score the goal, as he take right foot shot from inside the box go put ball for bottom right corner. The goal come from a corner kick, and e give the third division side early lead against their Bundesliga opponent.
For many people, this na big surprise, but those wey dey follow German football know say DFB Pokal always get room for upset. Würzburger Kickers dey play for 3. Liga, and dem don start the season well: dem dey third with four points from two matches. Dem also don extend their unbeaten home run to 16 competitive matches, with 12 wins. So dem get reason to believe say dem fit hold FC Cologne.
FC Cologne, wey be Bundesliga side, just finish 14th last season with 32 points. Dem only get three points pass Wolfsburg wey dey relegation playoff spot. Their form for the end of last season na real wahala: dem collect just nine points from their final 14 league matches. Away from home, things worse: dem no win any of their last 13 competitive away fixtures, and dem lose seven of them.
Di match see two different tactical setup. Michael Schiele, di coach of Würzburger Kickers, field im team for 5-3-2 formation. Im opposite number, René Wagner, wey be FC Cologne coach, use 4-2-3-1. But even with the extra man for defense, na di home side wey don find the net first.
After the goal, FC Cologne begin to press. Saïd El Mala get one shot from outside the box wey Marko Rajkovacic save. Later, Ragnar Ache header also dey saved by the goalkeeper. Jan Thielmann try one shot from outside the box, but e go high and wide. For the other side, David Abrangao almost score again with a difficult shot from left side, but e miss.
According to reports, FC Cologne coach René Wagner don confirm say im go field im strongest starting lineup for this match. Luca Waldschmidt dey fit and dey available. But before the match, many pundits still see FC Cologne as favourites, because of their pedigree. However, Würzburger Kickers don show say dem no dey fear anyone for their own back yard.
