VfL Bochum achieved a breakthrough with their first Bundesliga win of the season. Thanks to Takuma Asano, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win in Darmstadt.
After the interview with Takuma Asano in the mixed zone of Darmstadt 98, the Japanese journalists had a lot to report back home.
For VfL Bochum, the two goals to make it 2-1 (1-1) and thus their first Bundesliga success this season were particularly valuable. “That was just the beginning, step by step we want to get more points,” said the 28-year-old offensive player, who became well-known in this country with the winning goal against Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (2-1).
The double pack in the basement duel with the Hessian newcomer could be a liberation and a turnaround for the Revierclub after nine games without a win, although there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of play.
“He is a legend”
“I think we can still improve and more is possible,” said Asano, who hadn’t scored in the last six league games. Overall, he increased his hit rate for Bochum to twelve. “He’s a legend, a super player,” enthused defender Bernardo about the double goalscorer after the lucky win.
In the fight against relegation, the situation with a total of nine points is now better than last season, when they only got four points at the same time. They have also overtaken the Darmstadt team (7) in the table. Despite the first win of the season, VfL coach Thomas Letsch didn’t really seem happy.
The long wait for the final whistle after the Asano goals (25th and 54th minutes) and Fabian Nürnberger’s goal shortly before half-time to make it 1-1 had strained his nerves. “We managed to win with a bit of luck, the necessary effectiveness and a strong Takuma Asano,” said the 55-year-old. The fact that his team’s performance was rather poor was of secondary importance to him. “I don’t care at all whether we played like Manchester City or in the second division,” grumbled Letsch.
Asano makes the difference
“Who would have expected anything different after nine games without a win,” said his captain Anthony Losilla. “It’s completely normal that we don’t have the confidence to play beautiful football.” It was a “Fifty-Fifty” game in which Asano made the difference. “It wasn’t our best or most beautiful game,” admitted midfielder Kevin Stöger: “We got the first three, that’s what counts. Everyone can be overjoyed today.”
The next opponents are 1. FC Köln and 1. FC Heidenheim – two other direct rivals for staying in the league. “We now have more breathing room, but we must not make the mistake of becoming too arrogant,” warned Losilla. The people of Bochum can definitely rely on the lightning-fast wing speedster Asano, who is nicknamed the “Jaguar from Japan”. “I give everything for the team,” assured the 28-year-old.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
