Becker shines as Union beat Mainz

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17 June 2023, 11:18 yayınlandı

1. FC Union Berlin returned to winning ways at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei with a 3-1 victory over Mainz.

A first-half goal from Genki Haraguchi set Urs Fischer’s team on the way to three points after three without a win and a goal in the Bundesliga.

Sheraldo Becker captured the afternoon with a stunning strike on 56 minutes before setting up substitute Taiwo Awoniyi to put away his 10th of the campaign.

1. FC Union Berlin: Luthe; Trimmel, Gießelmann (Oczipka 85), Knoche, Baumgartl, Jaeckel; Prömel (Öztunali 85), Khedira, Haraguchi (Möhwald 77); Voglsammer (Awoniyi 67), Becker (Michel 77)

Mainz: Zentner; Aaron, Niakhate, Hack (Stöger 61), Bell (Tauer 69), Widmer, Kohr, Stach, Lee (Boetius 69), Onisiwo (Ingvartsen 61), Burkardt (Burgzorg 79)

Urs Fischer rang the changes after three losses on the spin with five new players coming in to give the team a fresh edge – Christopher Trimmel, Niko Gießelmann, Robin Knoche, Genki Haraguchi and Andreas Voglsammer were in from the start. All Bundesliga clubs across Germany joined together to show solidarity with those affected in Ukraine. A statement addressed the matter before the kick-off: “We condemn any kind of war. Sport stands for international understanding, togetherness, fair play and solidarity. Our sympathy and concerns are with the innocent people who fear for their lives and their homes. We ask you to stand up as a sign for peace and pause for a moment.”

The Köpenick club started with energy and tempo as they looked to take a vital step towards the 40-point mark in the Bundesliga. A scrappy shot from Niko Gießelmann was turned home by Haraguchi from the centre of the penalty box after seven minutes. Referee Bastian Dankert consulted with the video assistant referee Guido Winkmann and after a four-minute delay, the goal was confirmed. Sheraldo Becker threatened with his runs in behind the Mainz defence and after rounding Robin Zentner he couldn’t control the opportunity to finish. Bo Svensson’s team started the game on 34 points – the same as Urs Fischer’s side – and we saw exactly what has made the Carnival Club one of the toughest teams to beat in the Bundesliga. Stefan Bell shot over before Aaron Martin’s cross picked out Alexander Hack, his fellow central defender. Martin blazed wide with a low drive on 34 minutes and Bell forced another good opportunity from a set-piece situation which wasn’t converted. Mainz were handed the final attempt of the half as Martin stood over a free-kick, 25 yards out. The Spaniard looped the ball over the crossbar and the half ended with Union ahead.

Mainz’s robustness and strength continued to threaten whenever the game was scappy. Becker flashed the ball across for Union but there were no takers inside the first few minutes of the second half. A cute flick from Lee gave Jonathan Burkardt a huge sight at goal but the Union defence recovered to put bodies on the line. Becker’s willingness to test the Mainz defence paid off on 56 minutes with a spectacular goal for the Dutchman. Union’s number 27 cut inside from the left-hand side on to his favoured right foot and bent the ball expertly passed Zentner from 25 yards out. Two yellow cards in quick succession saw Dominik Kohr given his marching orders in the 61st minute as the mountain became bigger for Mainz to climb. The midfielder crashed through Grischa Prömel in the middle of the pitch and Dankert was in no doubts about the punishment. Taiwo Awoniyi was given the shout after 67 minutes to replace Voglsammer up top and the striker saw the ball land in his direction following a Gießelmann cross but Baumgartl took control and faced a stubborn Mainz defence. The Nigerian international finished off his first sight at goal with 75 minutes on the clock following a great run in behind from team-mate Becker. Awoniyi held his nerve and squeezed past Zentner from a few yards out in front of the Waldseite. That was the Dutchman’s final action of the game as he was replaced immediately by Kevin Möhwald – Sven Michel also came on for goalscorer Haraguchi. Levin Öztunali and Bastian Oczipka were Union’s last substitutions as Urs Fischer’s team stayed in control of the destination of the points. Mainz substitute Delano Burgzorg smashed home a pass into the box from Anton Stach but Union held firm to move on to 37 points for the season.