Borussia Dortmund's U19s have qualified for the semi-finals of the Westfalenpokal courtesy of a 2-0 win at SC Verl. The next opponents will be the winner of the game between FC Schalke 04 and SC Wiedenbrück.

As expected, the home side proved to be unpleasant opponents on the artificial turf at the Poststadion. Borussia had already dropped points in the 2-2 draw in Verl in the league – and it was not without reason that the East Westphalians managed to ensure their Bundesliga West survival. "We gave away only one chance in the first half against a good Bundesliga team and went about the task seriously," declared Mike Tullberg.

It was clear from the game that the Black & Yellows were lacking a real striker. Danylo Krevsun, who is usually deployed in midfield, initially lined up in the centre-forward role. Tullberg tweaked the system at the break, with Vincenzo Onofrietti moving into the No. 10 role. The attacking play became more flexible, though a "bit wilder" too (Tullberg). Onofrietti scored the goals in the 56th and 90th minutes to seal a deserved victory for the clearly superior side.

There were four changes to the team that had run out 3-0 winners in Sprockhövel in the previous outing, with Marian Kirsch, Michel Ludwig, Vincenzo Onofrietti and Samuel Bamba returning to the squad. Central defenders Filippo Mane and Nnamdi Collins plus the attacking trio of Julian Rijkhoff, Paris Brunner and Cole Campbell were unavailable. All the boys are expected back from international duty soon.

Following a friendly against the U23s (Sunday at 11:00 CET, NLZ Brackel), Mike Tullberg will commence preparations for the semi-final clash with Hertha BSC (10 and 15 April) in the Final Round of the German Championship.

U19s: Kirsch – Rashidi, Cisse, Blank, Korzynietz – Lubach, Ludwig (Walz, 46), Bamba (Ubani, 87), Onofrietti (Quayson, 90), Simic (Nwachukwu, 78) – Krevsun

(wiwi)