In a resounding display of football prowess, FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt claimed a decisive 4:1 victory against Hertha BSC II on March 21, 2025, at the Steigerwaldstadion. The match, viewed by 5,124 enthusiastic spectators, not only marked a continuation of Erfurt's campaign toward promotion in the Regionalliga Nordost but also highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Hertha's reserve squad.
Erfurt started the match on a high note, overcoming an early challenge from Hertha, who nearly opened the scoring with a shot from Ensar Aksakal that was skillfully saved by goalkeeper Lorenz Otto just seconds into the game. As the home side gradually found their rhythm, it was Phillip Aboagye who took center stage, scoring twice within a span of seven minutes. The 17th-minute opener came from a spectacular solo run, while his second goal in the 24th minute followed a perfectly orchestrated play by Marco Wolf.
Only two minutes later, Obed Chidindu Ugondu added to the tally with a long-range strike from 25 meters that soared into the top corner, leaving Hertha's defense reeling at 3:0. Despite the formidable deficit, Hertha found a glimmer of hope when Aksakal managed to score in the 35th minute, narrowing the gap to 3:1. However, Erfurt quickly responded just before halftime with an unfortunate own goal from Hertha's Shalwa Ogbaidze, sealing the first-half score at 4:1.
As the second half began, the frenetic energy of the first 45 minutes gave way to a more subdued pace. Erfurt comfortably managed their lead, with both teams struggling to capitalize on any scoring opportunities. Aboagye and Ugondu, who were pivotal in the first half, had limited chances to extend the lead. The most notable of these was Ugondu’s missed opportunity in the 70th minute, when he held too long before getting a shot off.
Erfurt's coach, Fabian Gerber, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the efficiency with which they utilized their chances, saying, "Mit welcher Effizienz wir in der ersten Halbzeit unsere Chancen genutzt haben, war sehr, sehr gut." His pride was evident as he noted that his players fought hard to earn the victory, demonstrating tremendous discipline and enthusiasm.
On the other hand, the defeat places Hertha BSC II in a precarious position as they work to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Currently sitting at 15th place with 22 points, the team has struggled despite their efforts on the field. After their recent loss, they are now preparing to face VSG Altglienicke, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
As for FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, this victory propels them into 3rd place, with 43 points, trailing the contenders for promotion. With seven points separating them from Hallescher FC, their hopes remain alive, and they look ahead to their next match against BFC Dynamo, aiming to maintain their winning momentum in pursuit of promotion.
