Debuts and goals for VfL national players

The summer break after our successful season has turned out to be a bit shorter for some of VfL Bochum 1848’s professionals. As many as six VfL players were on the road for their home countries in recent days and weeks. There were not only debuts to celebrate, but also some goals.

Bella Kotchap and Osterhage qualify for the Euros

One point was enough for Germany U21s to qualify for the European Championship next year. With Armel Bella Kotchap and Patrick Osterhage, two VfL players were part of the German squad. Osterhage made his U21 debut as Germany beat Hungary 4-0, coming on as a substitute after 61 minutes. At the same time, Bella Kotchap came off. Four days later, the Bochum centre back played the full 90 in the 2-1 win in Poland, while Osterhage was substituted on after 68 minutes.

Masovic and Holtmann make their first appearances

After a total of 56 appearances for the various Serbian national teams, Erhan Masovic finally made his first appearance for the senior team last week: After the Bochum defender was left out of the squad for the first Nations League game against Norway, Masovic played his first game for the senior team in the 4-1 win over Slovenia on June 5, playing all 90 minutes. The two other games against Sweden (1-0 win, not in the squad) and Slovenia (2-2, not in the squad) again took place without the Bochum player.

Gerrit Holtmann finally made his international debut too. Due to various reasons, the winger had to postpone his first appearance for the Philippines a few times, but in the 1-0 away win in the Asian Cup qualifier in Mongolia, Holtmann was finally able to start. And he did so very successfully, scoring the decisive winner for his mother’s homeland in injury time. Three days later, Holtmann was unable to do anything about the 4-0 defeat to Palestine, despite his next full-distance appearance.

No “Jimmy” vs “Taku face-off

Christopher Antwi-Adjei was once again on the road for Ghana’s national team. At the “Kirin Cup 2022” the winger and his home country first met the Japanese selection, but the semi-final was lost 1-4. Antwi-Adjei played 90 minutes, while Takuma Asano was not in the squad. On Tuesday, Ghana were scheduled to play Chile in the third-place match. “Jimmy” was substituted after 79 minutes. After a goalless draw in regulation time, the game went straight to penalties, which the Black Stars won 3-1.

Takuma Asano made two appearances for the Japanese national team. Before the “Kirin Cup 2022”, “Taku” and his teammates first had two other games in the calendary: In the 4-1 victory over Paraguay, Asano played for 45 minutes and scored in the 36rd minute for the opener. Just like against Ghana, the Bochum attacker was also absent against Brazil. Asano missed both the 1-0 defeat to the multiple world champions and the 4-1 win over teammate Antwi-Adjei due to minor ailments. On Tuesday, however, the VfLer was back in the starting eleven for the final of the Kirin Cup. Asano was substituted after about an hour in the 3-0 defeat to Tunisia.

Congratulations to all the Blue and Whites for their international appearances! Safe journey back to Bochum!