Mohr, Castelle, Polter and Kozuki score as S04 win 4-2 in Ulm

The game against last year’s Regionalliga South-West winners was a repeat of the second round game of the 2020/21 DFB-Pokal. The rule in the DFB-Pokal usually is that the team from a lower division plays the game at home, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the game was instead played shortly before Christmas at the VELTINS-Arena (the ‘Knappen’ came away with a 3-1 win). Both teams agreed at the time that S04 would play a friendly in Ulm at a later date. The Royal Blues made good on this agreement during the current international break.

Mohr makes it 1-0 shortly before half time

In front of 8,112 supports at the Donaustadion, it was the hosts who had the most chances in the first half, but they didn’t make these count. The best chance for Ulm before half time fell to Tobias Rühle, whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by Ralf Fährmann.

His opposite number Lorenz Otto was powerless at the other end just before half time. Tobias Mohr got on the end of a cross from Murkin before drilling a shot low into the far corner from the right-hand side of the box (43’). Moments later, Mohr had another good chance, but his effort went narrowly wide.

Three S04 goals in 13 minutes

The ‘Knappen’ made five changes for the start of the second half. One of these players, Niklas Castelle, who normally plays for the U23s, made it 2-0 moments later. The striker curled an effort home from the edge of the box which went in off the inside of the post (50’). Shortly afterwards, Sebastian Polter made it three from the penalty spot. The S04 striker was fouled in the box following neat interplay with Kozuki, before getting up and calming slotting the ball down the middle (59’).

This positive period of play for the Royal Blues, who dominated possession, was rounded off with another goal in the 63rd minute. This time it was Sebastian Polter who provided the assist, with Soichiro Kozuki the scorer. Polter pulled the ball back from the byeline on the left-hand side, with the Japanese midfielder sweeping home to make it 4-0. The hosts got a consolation goal four minutes later, with Lucas Röser converting from the penalty spot.

All these goals were followed by a slightly calmer final stage, but the ‘Knappen’ still almost added a fifth, with Sebastian Polter hitting the post in the 85th minute. Instead, it was the Drittliga side who were celebrating just before full time after a Schalke own goal. Tomas Kalas turned the ball into his own net after he slid in to try to clear the ball (89’). At full time the scoreline was 4-2 in S04’s favour.