Contested relegation
Wiesbaden continues to worry about staying in the league
24.05.2024, 22:58
SV Wehen Wiesbaden continues to fear for survival in the 2nd Bundesliga. In the first leg of the relegation match against Jahn Regensburg, coach Nils Döring’s team initially fell behind, but then fought back to earn a draw.
After a thrilling first leg of the relegation play-off, everything is still open in the battle for the last second division place between SSV Jahn Regensburg and SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 2:2 (1:0) on Friday evening in Regensburg’s Jahnstadion means a small advantage for Wiesbaden, however, because the second division 16th-placed team has the home advantage on its side in the return match against the third division football team next Tuesday (8.30 p.m./Sky). The Jahn pros were loudly cheered by their fans in the stands after the final whistle, which should be an encouragement for the second and decisive match.
Noah Ganaus (27th) gave Jahn the lead in the dominant first half in front of 13,378 spectators. The guests struck back after the break through Robin Heußer (66th) and John Iredale (71st), who had just been substituted on. Jahn then managed a comeback through the outstanding attacker Dominik Kother (80th), who had already prepared the 1-0.
“I think we got off to a great start in the first half,” said Kother on Sat.1, but then criticized what he saw as unnecessary goals conceded. “Then we showed the mentality we had in the first half of the season. We’ll take that with us,” he added, referring to the draw at the end. “It will be a final,” said Kother.
Wiesbaden’s coach is allowed back on the pitch
In the return match, interim coach Nils Döring, who was suspended in Regensburg, will be allowed to coach the Wehen Wiesbaden team from the sidelines again. This could have a positive effect. “We want to show energy from the start. It’s all about winning. Today we started a little slowly,” said visiting goal scorer Iredale, who scored spectacularly with his heel.
Jahn has already managed to make it to the second division twice, having finished third in the third division, via the relegation play-offs. In 2012, the Upper Palatinate team beat Karlsruher SC, and in 2017, TSV 1860 Munich. The current Jahn team, coached by Joe Enochs, initially built on their past successes in the first leg. Robin Ziegele was fouled on a long pass forward, but referee Tobias Reichel recognized the advantage. Kother played Ganaus free, who scored successfully.
After three substitutions at half-time, the guests found their way into the game better. Ivan Prtjain’s header was a signal (53′). Then Heußer poked the ball into the goal. Joker Iredale added another. Even after Kothers made it 2-2, both teams were still trying to score the winning goal.