| Team | P | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duisburg | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +5 | 11 |
| Düsseldorf | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +4 | 11 |
| Essen | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| Wuppertal | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -8 | 2 |
Participating teams
Düsseldorf, Essen
Duisburg, Dortmund
Mulheim , Wuppertal
Before boarding the train to Wuppertal to support the Duisburg team in KamerLiga Day 4, I had a quick chat with FIFA president Sepp Blatter to find out if Wuppertal was above the height FIFA has set as a limit for holding football games. It has been known that high altitudes can cause one or two problems for the heart, and the brand of football Duisburg promised to show in Wuppertal, was sure to make more than a few hearts to skip a beat.
The constellation of KamerLiga Day 4 was an interesting one, as a series of results could go Essen’s way and see them pull off with a 6 point lead with two games to go, a setup which would all but secure them the title. Essen would come to Wuppertal with this in mind, but Duisburg would have other Ideas.
KamerLiga has so far been a spectacle. Everywhere you go, you hear people talking about it. The organizers must be proud that things are seemingly going well. However, everywhere there is praise, there must be the fair share of criticism when things go the other way and in all fairness to the Wuppertal team, the hosting of KamerLiga Day 4 was a step down from Day 3. I remember coming to Duisburg one hour after the scheduled time for the first match, only to find out that the match was almost going to half time. These were conditions which we are not used to in the African community. I came to Wuppertal early enough in other not to miss any part of the show, and I thought I had the wrong address. The Duisburg team was punctual as usual, and the opponents were no where to be found. The hosts were also missing. I am sure the organizers must be hiting their heads for solutions to this unfortunate trend.
Well let’s get back to business. Essen, having arrived about two hours late, took to the field against a young Duisburg team, ready to put the record straight. The game started amidst a shower of blessing, which is beginning to become a tradition in KamerLiga. The rain soon ceased, but the tempo of the game was maintained. The Duisburg team pushed the Essen team to the back, but they hardly created any serious chances. Essen played one or two counter attacks, but the Duisburg defense had solutions to every thing thrown at them. The first half ended 0-0. In the 2nd half, there was an explosion of action. The pressure from Duisburg was enormous at times and the Essen team was virtually begging for a goal. It came midway into the second half through a free kick from Duisburg’s Nr. 15 (Charles), headed in by the Nr. 9 (Cesaire). 1-0 to Duisburg. One would have expected a reaction from the technically strong Essen team, but apart from a few tricks in the midfield, nothing tangible came from their play. One minute to the end of the game, the unstoppable Charles, beat two defenders on the left, before squaring a pass to Cesaire. His shot was blocked; with the rebound landing on the feet of Duisburg Nr. 6 (Fabrice) for a simple tap in. It was a fine finish from Fabrice though, as we have seen one or two professionals miss, from similar positions. The referee ended the game almost immediately. Final score Duisburg 2 – Essen 0. Duisburg has pulled up on points with Essen.
Wuppertal and Düsseldorf took to the pitch soon after, having been impatiently warming up on the sides, waiting for their turn on the stage. It was the last chance for Wuppertal to keep up their chances of remaining in contention, as anything less than a win, will virtually end their chances of even taking second place. Would they show us their magic at home? Teams have been known to show a different face at home, and with the point won (or two points lost) against Duisburg, we could be witnessing a team on the rise. Ok, let me not get over myself here. I was soon to be shown that the performance of this team in Duisburg, was just an off day.
Düsseldorf pressed Wuppertal from the first minute leaving a few spectators wondering which side was the home team. Düsseldorf had a goal disallowed in the opening minutes for off side, a decision which was at least debatable. The spirit of the Düsseldorf team was not touched, as they kept on pushing, playing some wonderful football in the process. The Nr. 3 (Gando) put Düsseldorf ahead after a defensive mix up. The Nr. 7 (Calvin Petmy), who was at the time, the best player on the pitch, added a second, minutes after picking up a yellow card for protesting. This would prove to be costly. The first half ended on the score of 2 goals to 0 for Düsseldorf.
The Wuppertal guys seemed to have resigned, with the neutral spectator wishing they would at least pick up themselves, and entertain the public. At the beginning of the 2nd half, there was not much reaction from the Wuppertal team. Düsseldorf still had complete control of the game, and should have scored many more goals from their numerous opportunities. Wuppertal was no where to be seen. I remember the lines man (a professional from Dortmund) commenting to me and I quote “…Dans cette equipe, ça manques la qualité…”
Wuppertal were to draw last blood, as they mounted a fair amount of pressure to win a penalty (scored by Nr. 8 – Kowac) and reduce the score to 2 – 1. The pressure grew a little more, leading to one or two players from Düsseldorf, to have run-ins with the referee and earning themselves yellow cards in the process. Calvin, who was causing all kinds of problems for the Wuppertal defense, tracked back to block one of the Wuppertal attacks, committing a foul in a process, and earning himself a second yellow card. Would Wuppertal take advantage of the extra man? They missed two clear chances to even the score in the dying minutes, but it would have been an undeserved result for Wuppertal who were the weaker side for much of the game. Final score Wuppertal 1 – Düsseldorf 2.
KamerLiga Day 5 shall take place in Essen on August 16th. Don’t miss the two interesting games Duisburg vs. Düsseldorf, and Essen vs. Wuppertal. I am looking forward to this. View pictures