1. FC Köln came from a goal down to win their third pre-season friendly. On Saturday afternoon at Südstadion, Valdrin Mustafa gave the visitors the lead before Timo Hübers’ equaliser. A Sargis Adamyan brace in the second-half secured a third friendly win in as many games for FC.
Hübers levels
FC started the game strongly and went close twice in quick succession. Luca Waldschmidt was denied from close range by Johannes Brinkies in the Offenbach goal, while Max Finkgräfe fired inches wide moments later. However, it was the visitors who went ahead. A mix-up at the back allowed Ron Berlinski to square for Valdrin Mustafa to tap-in.
FC were in control but unable to force a way through the Offenbach defence. However, the equaliser came in the 36th minute. A Waldschmidt corner fell at the feet of Timo Hübers. His first effort was blocked but the second saw him poke home to deservedly level the scores.
Adamyan brace in the second-half
The second-half started with FC on the front foot and were almost rewarded straight away. A lovely move ended up with Steffen Tigges denied by Brinkies. In the 54th minute, Sargis Adamyan did find the back of the net. A smart through ball from Waldschmidt was met by Adamyan, and he lobbed the oncoming Offenbach stopper to give FC the lead.
Adamyan grabbed a second late on, with Tigges’ low cross being turned home from a couple of yards out by the Armenian forward. Eric Martel hit the crossbar in the dying minutes, as the frame of the goal prevented FC from finding a fourth.
FC are next in action on Friday, 19th July against VV St. Truiden. The game in Euskirchen gets underway at 18:00 CEST.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln first-half (4-3-1-2): Urbig – Thielmann, Hübers, Pauli, Finkgräfe – Ljubicic, Martel, Huseinbasic – Waldschmidt – Lemperle, Maina.
1. FC Köln second-half (4-3-1-2): Schwäbe – Carstensen, Hübers, Bakatukanda, Heintz – Ljubicic (Wäschenbach 60’), Martel (Dietz 85’), Huseinbasic (Olesen 60’) – Waldschmidt (Downs 60’) – Tigges, Adamyan.
Goals: 0:1, Mustafa 9’. 1:1, Hübers 36’. 2:1, Adamyan 54’. 3:1, Adamyan 77’.
Referee: Lutz Meyersieck.
Attendance: 4,100.
