On Saturday, June 22, the team of Andreas Maaßen, Irek Gagor, and Stefan Kirches from 1. FC Heinsberg-Lieck won their second qualification match for the Bezirksliga for the upcoming 2024/2025 season with a score of 6:1. At the Seestadion, around 150 spectators welcomed the U19 (A-Jugend) team of JSG Kirchheim/​Arloff/​Flamersheim. The first leg, held a week earlier in Flamersheim, ended in a 3:3 draw. Both teams had high expectations and used the final training sessions for intensive preparation for this decisive encounter.
The opening phase was a bit disorganized, but the initial tension among some players quickly subsided, and the "red Lions" took the initiative with good build-up play combined with quick, direct passes. The guests, playing in green, largely left the spaces to the Lieck team but were always ready to apply pressure and seek their own chances with targeted, quick actions. After creating several opportunities, the FC took the lead in the 20th minute with a goal by Levin Schmitz. The JSG sought their chances and managed to put the Lieck defense under pressure a few times. The opponent particularly utilized set pieces like corners, which were already well-rehearsed in the first leg, and the team from Heinsberg anticipated this threat. With their goalkeeper Jannick Quadflieg, the Lions had an excellent anchor, who frequently initiated new plays with good ball handling, calmness, and vision. In the 26th minute, Mirac Akyuez, who had just been substituted in, increased the lead to 2:0. On the left wing, Brandy Nzenze stood out multiple times and impressed with strong one-on-one duels. Just before halftime, the playmaker Anton Gerte, in excellent form, scored the 3:0 halftime score in the 45th minute. Goals at such moments are often of decisive importance in football. As a summary of the very good interim result in the first half, it should not go unmentioned that by this point, two Lieck players (Niklas Kuhl & Eli Mierop) had already been substituted due to injuries, and as a result, Maxim Vogel had already played in three different positions during this time.
The second half of the match was approached by our Lions with great composure, high concentration, and, above all, without arrogance. Fully aware of their good lead, it was clear to every single player, including the entire bench, that the game was far from over, and a conceded goal could immediately put the opponent back in the game. The entire defense, led by Florim Sulejmani (also the team captain), faced the opponent at eye level at all times. In addition to the full-backs, center-back Jona Handanovic also had his opponent well under control. Together with Lennart Maassen and Bovin Massakidi, they managed to intercept many plays and build up their own game very precisely. In the 63rd minute, our Anton Gerte increased the lead to 4:0, and in the 80th and 81st minutes, Paul Hoch and Levin Schmitz sealed the deal. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that JSG Kirchheim/​Arloff/​Flamersheim scored a hand penalty in injury time. The match was officiated by a referee team led by Michael Schulz. It is not a given to play with a referee team in youth football, and we would like to express our sincere thanks for this.
Perhaps these qualification matches are not always easy for everyone to evaluate or assess directly, but it should be noted that here, the 2007 age group (partially even the 2008 age group for Lieck) can face the 2006 age group in qualification. This will also be the case in the upcoming season.
The success, the atmosphere, and the joy within the team are excellent, and after this successful match, there was a small celebration at the Seestadion. The Board of 1. FC Heinsberg-Lieck had invited the team, including their families. The team would like to express their gratitude for this.