1. FC Union Berlin picked up a 2-0 win over Lichtenberg 47 in Wednesday’s bounce match at the Hans-Zoschke-Stadion in the capital.
Cedric Teuchert scored after 27 minutes before substitute Andreas Voglsammer netted from distance after 64 minutes.
SV Lichtenberg 47: Wollert (Williams 45 (Riedel 80)) ; Fiegen, Ohlow (Sinan 73), Hollwitz (Brando 45), Bremer (Maric 45), Gawe (Graf 89), Owczarek, Schmidt (Schöps 59), Krüger (Emre 80), Gözüsinn (Grüneberg 89), Ihbe (Chor 55)
1. FC Union Berlin: Busk; van Drongelen, Friedrich, Oczipka (Dehl 30), Wszolek, Behrens (Abdullahi 45), Endo, Prömel (Ujah 45), Becker (Jaeckel 45), Möhwald (Schneider 70), Teuchert (Voglsammer 45)
With five Union players heading off for national team responsibilities this week, Wednesday’s friendly with Lichtenberg was a fine opportunity to keep the two-game-per-week rhythm. Deadline day signings Bastian Oczipka and Kevin Möhwald were included for the first time, while Grischa Prömel earned a starting berth following a period of absence with injury. Cedric Teuchert has found himself on the bench in the Bundesliga this season due to the impressive form of Max Kruse and Taiwo Awoniyi. The 23-year-old, who represented Germany this summer at the Olympic Games, was eager to show his worth to the coach. On seven minutes, he headed wide before goalkeeper Kevin Vollert made a sharp stop on 20 minutes. Lichtenberg’s number one goalkeeper was in for a busy evening’s work at the Hans-Zoschke-Stadion as he single-handily kept the Regionalliga team level. Becker showed quick feet to cut inside on 22 minutes but the Suriname international saw his effort saved. The breakthrough arrived on 27 minutes under the evening sun in Berlin with new signing Oczipka flighting the ball into the path of Teuchert who finished off. Union’s front line looked motivated and determined to impress and on 35 minutes, Keita Endo was denied by Vollert. The Japan international was starting from wide left, faced a two-on-two situation but the shot was well kept out by the home goalkeeper.
Urs Fischer made four changes at the turnaround as minutes were shared within the squad. Cedric Teuchert, Kevin Behrens, Sheraldo Becker and Grischa Prömel made way with Andreas Voglsammer, Paul Jaeckel, Suleiman Abdullahi and Anthony Ujah introduced. Lichtenberg switched around at different intervals with a change of goalkeeper at the break – Niklas Wollert was taken off for Melvin Williams. Voglsammer was a nuisance from his first minutes on to the park and Williams got the better of the Union striker up until the hour. A long-range effort on 64 minutes looked harmless to Williams but the Lichtenberg made a blunder and the ball was fumbled over the line for 2-0. Youngster Fabio Schneider was called upon to replace Kevin Möhwald as the signing from Werder Bremen continues to adjust to life in Köpenick. Endo nearly had his goal on 80 minutes but substitute keeper Dominic Riedel won the one-v-one contest. Anthony Ujah’s rehab from injury is still ongoing and the striker is building up his minutes through these friendly matches. Ujah could have scored on 84 minutes and 88 minutes but in the end Union walked away with a 2-0 victory and plenty of minutes shared around the squad.