BOCHOLT, Germany (Interstat) — In a preseason friendly that defied pregame projections, Borussia Bocholt and SGS Essen W played to a 2-2 draw Thursday at Sonilift-Arena.

The match, organized under the Club Friendlies Women banner, saw the visiting Essen side, heavily favored by statistical models, twice surrender a lead to a determined Bocholt squad fighting for its first positive result of the preseason.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 2-1 victory for Essen, whose ELO rating gave them a 79.8 percent probability to win. Those figures were quickly challenged as the teams traded early blows.

Essen struck first in the 8th minute through substitute Rúben Neves, who capitalized on a corner kick situation to give the visitors an immediate advantage. The lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Borussia Bocholt midfielder Nahitan Nández answered, leveling the score at 1-1 with a well-taken finish.

The frantic opening was followed by a physical and contentious first half that produced five yellow cards. Essen’s Malcom was booked in the 16th minute, and a heated exchange in the 22nd minute saw both Nández and Essen’s Mohamed Kanno receive cautions. Bocholt defender Jehad Thikri was shown a yellow in the 44th minute.

The tense deadlock persisted through the second half until the 76th minute, when Bocholt forward Julián Quiñones connected on a header to put the home side ahead 2-1, sending the home supporters into a frenzy.

Pushing for an equalizer, Essen’s pressure culminated in dramatic fashion during second-half stoppage time. In the 90th minute, substitute Salem Al Dawsari found the net with a right-footed effort, salvaging the draw for the visitors and ensuring the points were shared.

The match concluded with a final yellow card shown to Bocholt’s Christopher Bonsu-Baah in the 89th minute, bringing the total to seven cautions issued by the officiating crew.

Nández was instrumental for Bocholt, contributing a goal and an assist to lead his team’s offensive efforts. For Essen, the goals from substitutes Neves and Al Dawsari highlighted the depth of their squad.

The result leaves both teams still seeking their first victory in the Club Friendlies Women competition this preseason. SGS Essen W’s record in this specific competition moves to one win, one draw and no losses, while their overall preseason mark across all competitions is identical. Borussia Bocholt’s record in this competition now stands at no wins, two losses and one draw, mirroring their overall preseason tally.

Borussia Bocholt is scheduled to continue its preseason preparations with a match against MSV Duisburg at home on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.