SV Rot-Weiss Merl is finally the district cup winner again!
After eleven years, the women have finally managed to bring the district cup home again! The last 3 years, the Merlerinnen had to do without the final participation, by an early exit and two cancellations due to the Corona pandemic. The cup victory had to be postponed until the year 2022.
The way to the final was made confidently
The Merler girls took this year quite clearly as a goal to finally win the cup and so they approached each of the knockout games highly concentrated. Within the cup competition, the opponents were defeated with: 11:0; 7:0 and 10:1. In total, the goal ratio was 28:1.
The opponent in the final is an old acquaintance
In the final, the Merlerinnen, who are currently ranked 1st in the Mittelrheinliga, were to face a familiar opponent. As on the first matchday of the current season, you met the women of the SF Ippendorf.
The past two duels went both with 4:1 to the women from Merl, but the Ippendorf women were the determining team in the district cup in the last 10 years.
The teams met at Sportpark Nord in the best soccer weather. Right from the start, the almost 400 spectators created a great atmosphere on the pitch.
At the beginning, the game seemed very restless, the nervousness was noticeable to both teams. But in the course of the first 20 minutes, the Merler women created various opportunities, but unfortunately they lacked precision.
Until the 43rd minute, the Ippendorf women held the 0:0. But then a precise shot into the right corner could not be defended. 1:0! The Merlerinnen took this lead with relief into the break and should follow up directly after 5 minutes. Through a beautiful combination on the left side could be achieved 2:0 and finally had to be pushed in the 62nd minute only to 3:0.
Turmoil in the final phase
Despite the high lead, the Ippendorf girls continued to believe that they could still take the game. They invested more and the team from Merl was no longer sorted after five changes, so that the Ippendorf girls were able to enter the final third.
The Merler women defended - unfortunately not quite according to the rules. In the 85th minute, there was a penalty for the opponent. The goalkeeper from Merl had experienced a quiet game up to this point, but now she was the center of attention. The penalty was shot forcefully into the lower left corner, the goalkeeper from Merl decided on the right corner and heaved the ball out of the goal - held!
After a long wait, Merl is finally back on top
After a total of 92 minutes, the deserved cup winner 2022 was determined: SV Rot-Weiss Merl!
We congratulate the women from Merl and are also proud to have been a part of this game. Because we were there not only in the form of our sponsorship, but also as a fan in the stands!
Chapeau to the entire club and the team for the development! Already after the Kreispokal is now the FVM Cup at the end of October with great opponents before the door. We are already looking forward and hope for more cheers!
Pictures by Wilfried Chruscz