Two losses in tough conditions
IT WAS A disappointing afternoon for Huddersfield Town who suffered back-to-back defeats in the Interwetten Cup in Essen on Saturday.
The Terriers lost 2-0 to Real Betis before going down 1-0 to Werder Bremen in the second game at an extremely hot Stadion Essen.
Goalkeeper Joel Coleman was at fault for both of the goals in the first game while a superb free-kick was the Terriers’ undoing in the second game.
Boss David Wagner relieved, however, to have come through both games with his squad unscathed.
The German fielded virtually the same side for both games Abdelhamid Sabiri and Terence Kongolo being the stand-out players .
After an encouraging start in the first game, Town were undone when Loren Moron beat Coleman to a ball over the top. The shotstopper came steaming out of his goal but was unable to meet the ball first, and he was superbly lobbed from 30 yards.
The goal hit Huddersfield hard and they never really recovered from it. Moron then added a second when he tried his luck from around 20 yards.
Coleman looked to be behind it but was unable to claim it and he fumbled it into the corner of the net.
Youngster Jordan Williams was the one change for the second game, replacing the impressive Sabiri.
Again Town began well but both sides struggled in the heat as the game wore on. And it was no surprise the goal came from a setplay. Williams committed a foul on the edge of the area - sliding in from behind - and Bremen’s Florian Kainz curled in superb effort into the top left corner, out of Coleman’s reach.
Wagner brought on Ramadan Sobhi for his first appearance in a Huddersfield shirt but the Egyptian was unable to make a difference. Bremen had chances to extend their advantage following some large gaps in the Town defence but poor finishing meant the score remained at 1-0. The first game was for forget for the shotstopper, who ended up costing Huddersfield the game. For the first goal he came charging out of his area and was lobbed first time. With the second, he fumbled a tame shot into the net. More solid against Bremen and could not do much about the free-kick ........................... 4 Almost at fault for a Bremen goal when he left their striker in acres of room in the box but a heavy touch meant Town were left off the hook. Got forward well in the first game ....................................................... 5 A couple of good interceptions and blocks but him and Kongolo left both Betis and Bremen too much time and space going forward ............................................................ 5 Solid defensively and made several excellent blocks but needs to work on his distribution, however. Switched to left back for the final 15 minutes ....................... 6 Got forward and put in a few nice crosses but also left some gaps defensively down Betis’ left. Played in a more advanced role for the second game ..................................... 5 No-nonsense performance from the anchorman who put in several heavy - but fair - challenges and looked to get Town going on the front foot. Always tried to make himself available for a pass .............. 6 Showed some really nice touches in midfield and almost drew a goal back in the Betis game when he guided the ball onto the underside of the bar from close range. Made way for Jordan Williams in the second match .......................................... 7 Tried to enforce himself going forward but struggled to make an impact. Replaced by Sobhi in the Bremen game .......................... 5 A slightly shaky start after losing the ball on several occasions but grew into the afternoon and pressed really well ............. 6 Showed good strength when coming deep to retrieve the ball and ensured both defences had little time when on the ball. Spurned one great chance early against Bremen when he took an air shot from a low corner ........................................................ 5 Jordan Williams: Gave away the foul - and was booked - for the free-kick which Bremen scored from .................................... 5 Ramadan Sobhi: Replaced Quaner midway through second game but could not impact the game ........................................... 5 Rarmani Edmonds-Green: Got the final 15 minutes against Bremen ............................. 5