Kobel shines despite the shocking moment: World Cup start for BVB under pressure!

Kobel shines despite the shocking moment: World Cup start for BVB under pressure!

In the shadow of the FIFA World Cup, BVB keeper Gregor Kobel is in top form. However, he experienced a dramatic moment during the first round match against Fluminense. Kobel collided with Everaldo as he reacted to intercept a long ball. Despite receiving brief treatment after the collision, he initially remained on the pitch, but fell to the ground again in a daze two minutes later. Nevertheless, the goalkeeper managed to finish the game until the end without any further incidents, setting a strong example among the goalkeepers of the World Cup, reports Torwart.de.

After the game, Kobel stated that the opponent was “fresher, more aggressive and better in the duels”. He also admitted that the Fluminense team, led by their 44-year-old goalkeeper Fábio, the oldest player in the tournament, had better chances and performed better overall. Fábio himself was positive and stated that despite a sub-optimal performance, they were “still too early” to give a final assessment. He pointed out possible causes such as jet lag, but was also determined not to let this performance spread a “bad mood”.

The challenges of kick-off times

Another interesting aspect of the game was the kick-off time of 12:00 local time, which corresponds to 18:00 Central European Time. Kobel suspected that this unusual kick-off time could be problematic for the players. The next preliminary round game will also take place at this time against Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns, who successfully played their first game against Ulsan HD FC of South Korea, have proven to be very strong this season.

Mamelodi Sundowns are already well on their way to extending their dominance in the 2023-24 South African Premier Division season. This is the league's 28th consecutive season and the team has already won 22 out of 30 games, for an impressive winning percentage of 73.33%. Their record this season is remarkable: scoring 51 goals and conceding just 10, resulting in a goal difference of +41. The team is considered one of the favorites for the title.

Mamelodi Sundowns successes this season

Mamelodi Sundowns have also shown notable performances in various leagues and competitions. Here are some of their key stats from the current season:

Sundowns have an overall record of 36 wins, 15 draws and 7 losses this season, which shows how strong the team is in the African football market. The clash with Kobel and his team promises to be an exciting duel as the teams prepare for the challenges ahead.