Oswald: “If we make it 2-0, there will be peace”
“We were on top of it. We didn’t lose, we won a lot – in the city and in the region. We showed that VFC Plauen is back,” said VFC coach Karsten Oswald proudly and added: “We had Dynamo have gotten to the point where they only come with long balls. If we’re a little cooler, we’ll make it 2-0. Then it’ll be quiet.”
Dynamo coach Markus beginning seemed taciturn after the final whistle: “You always try to make a sensation out of it. It’s a game. A lot can always happen. It was difficult on the pitch. We didn’t have much penetration and then the opponent gets one Counterattack opportunity. That’s nothing unusual in the cup.” He struggled with some of the additional players who were allowed to play in Plauen from the start: “There’s still room for improvement for some of them. You’ve seen that. And you’ve seen since the start of the season that we don’t score many goals.”
Dynamo rotates and struggles
Dynamo Dresden really shook up the starting eleven. Compared to the 0-0 draw in the third division top game against Ulm, Markus initially brought in eight fresh players. Only Ahmet Arslan, Kevin Ehlers and Jakob Lewald were in the starting line-up. The newly formed SGD team had a lot of trouble with the brave Plaueners, who didn’t hide and made the spaces tight from the first minute. It quickly became clear that it would be a game of patience, because unlike SGD’s 7-3 win in the last cup duel in 2022, Plauen defended in a disciplined manner and made few mistakes.
1st half: Chances only in the final phase
In addition to speed and brilliant ideas, the Dynamos also lacked depth runs that could have thrown the defense into disarray. The first great chance took until the 38th minute. Then Dennis Borkowski missed the 1-0 after a back pass from Robin Meißner. His direct shot slipped over his slipper and went wide.
Plauen seemed out of sorts for a moment and was lucky that Meissner, who lacks match practice, took a completely hasty shot a few seconds later and miserably missed the second good opportunity. Plauen didn’t have any great chances, but they had a constant source of trouble in Johan Martynets, who at least caused danger with a shot from the turn.
After the break: Spranger has it 1-0
While Plauen’s coach and ex-Dynamo player Karsten Oswald demanded even more “courage” and “less long balls” from his boys at halftime, the beginning took action and ordered Borkowski and Jonas Oehmichen off the field. Two regular players, Tom Zimmerschied and Jakob Lemmer, came along.
At first there was little change in what was happening on the pitch. Dresden often had the ball, but Plauen defended well and didn’t let anything happen. In addition, the outsider put pinpricks and had the 1-0 on their feet. Charlie Spranger was wonderfully released and tried to overcome goalkeeper Daniel Mesenhöler with a lob, the ball landed on the side netting.
Pomade dynamos without ideas and steam
It wasn’t until a good 20 minutes before the end that the Oberliga players’ strength briefly dwindled that Dynamo had more room and space. A stroke of genius from Lemmer in the 73rd minute almost made it 1-0. With his back to the goal he tried to overcome Plauen’s Jakob Pielers, defender Jasin Jusic smelled the roast and cleared it well in front of the line. Shortly before, Arslan, who was luckless this time, forgave miserably. Plauen continued to throw pinpricks and remained alert defensively. This is how Tom Fischer saved himself from Zimmerschied in dire need.
Crime thriller in extra time
The underdog saved himself into extra time – and took the lead. Martynets – the best Plauener – was rewarded for his strong performance. He prevailed in the penalty area against four half-hearted Dresden players and then deliberately pushed it into the far corner (98th). The Plauen team headed towards the sensation and were torn from their dreams four minutes before the final whistle of extra time. Kutschke headed in an unstoppable shot at the near post after a corner: 1-1. The penalty shootout had to be decisive – the shooting was unbelievably good and Spranger ultimately became a tragic figure.