Late equaliser denies S04 all three points in Wiesbaden

Four changes – Murkin in the squad for the first time

Head coach Thomas Reis made four changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Holstein Kiel last time out. Cedric Brunner replaced Henning Matriciani at right-back and Lino Tempelmann came in for the suspended Ron Schallenberg in defensive midfield. Danny Latza and Keke Topp made way for Soichiro Kozuki and Tobias Mohr, with those two and Matriciani all dropping to the bench. Left-back Derry John Murkin, who joined the club on Wednesday, was in the squad for the first time.

Schalke with more of the ball and more chances

S04 enjoyed more possession and the first dangerous attacks at the BRITA-Arena. Wiesbaden defenders were able to clear from Simon Terodde (2’) and Soichiro Kozuki (3’) crosses early on, before Tobias Mohr had Schalke’s first shot, cutting inside onto his right foot, only to see goalkeeper Florian Stritzel comfortably save his effort aimed for the bottom corner (6’).

Four minutes later, Soichiro Kozuki laid it off for Assan Ouédraogo and the 17-year-old fired a low shot towards goal, missing the target by a few yards. The visitors were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box after 19 minutes, which Thomas Ouwejan drove towards goal. Stritzel punched it up in the air and eventually dealt with the danger.

Froese with Wiesbaden’s only chance in the first half

With Schalke keeping things tight at the back and generally controlling the game, it took Wiesbaden 22 minutes to register their first shot. Kianz Froese tried his luck from 20 yards out, curling one just past the far post. The majority of Schalke’s chances in the first half involved Thomas Ouwejan one way or another. He aimed for Simon Terodde with his free-kick in the 25th minute, but defender Gino Fechner instead got there first and inadvertently headed the ball on target, forcing his goalkeeper Stritzel into a good save.

Timo Baumgartl rose highest from an Ouwejan corner, but could only head well over the bar (33’). The final notable moment before the break came when the Dutchman attempted to score from a free-kick from a decent position, however he missed the target (41’) and the teams therefore went in level.

Murkin sets up Mohr

Thomas Reis made one change for the second half, introducing Derry John Murkin for his debut as he replaced Soichiro Kozuki. The new signing came on to play on the left wing and immediately had an impact on the game. Ouédraogo played him the ball in the 54th minute and he crossed for Tobias Mohr, who picked out the bottom corner to make it 1-0 for his first competitive goal in Schalke colours. The goal was just what the Royal Blues needed after Wiesbaden’s strong start to the second half. Firstly, Cedric Brunner had to make a crucial sliding challenge as the last man a minute after the restart to deny Antonio Jonjic and then Marius Müller made a save from the striker a minute later (47’).

Latza hits the post – Wiesbaden equalise late on

Schalke continued to keep the home team away from their goal and had chances themselves. Lino Tempelmann had his shot blocked by a defender (67’) and then Max Reinthaler cleared Derry John Murkin’s effort off the line after he had beaten Stritzel (75’).

Robin Heußer latched onto a long ball for Wehen, but snatched at his effort and missed the target by a fair way (78’). Shortly afterwards, Keke Topp played a ball in behind the home defence for Danny Latza, who then hit the near post (85’). Schalke would live to regret that missed chance as Wiesbaden snatched a point in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Robin Heußer got the down the right, passed it back to Sascha Mockenhaupt and he pulled the trigger. His shot was cleared on the line by Henning Matriciani, however that hit Max Reinthaler and ricocheted into the back of the net. The hosts could even have won it with the last kick of the game too. Ivan Prtajin cut inside in the box from a counter-attack, but struck the ball over the bar (90+6’).

Friendly in Ulm

The Royal Blues will play a friendly during the upcoming international break away to SSV Ulm 1846 of the third division. Kick off at the Donaustadion on Friday (8/9) will be at 18:30 CEST. S04’s next league game is at home to 1. FC Magdeburg on 16th September at 20:30 CEST.