Fortuna Cologne: This midfield talent is still waiting for his debut and is a national player
Things are not going as hoped for Fortuna Köln in the Regionalliga West. A highly gifted fortune teller can claim that for himself.
Fortune Cologne wanted to get involved before the season. But after eight games there are just nine points. Not enough for the demands of coach Markus von Ahlen’s team.
With completely different demands is also Tariq Emad Suleiman entered the 2022/2023 season. The 19-year-old, who comes from the Cologne U19s, is still waiting for his regional league debut for Fortuna. So far he has only made 27 senior appearances in Cologne’s Mittelrheinliga team, and he has played two of these 27 matches in the current series.
“I’d be lying if I said I’m happy. Everyone wants to play, including me of course. I’ve always been in the matchday squad and was hoping to come on. But I have to keep working hard on myself, be patient and get the chance , which will come, are waiting,” says the midfield talent of Cologne. He adds: “The coach is currently relying on experience. At the beginning of the season things didn’t go as we had hoped and the coach didn’t want to experiment, he trusted the experienced players. I have to accept that.”
Fortuna Cologne is my priority now. I want to fight my way through and collect a few more minutes of play in the Regionalliga West this year.
Tariq Emad Suleiman
Most recently, Suleiman was allowed to play twice a week in three games. He was with the Palestine U20 national team at the Vietnam training camp and then at a tournament in Laos. Suleiman played through against Yemen (2-2), against Guam (5-0) for 45 minutes, including one goal, and against Japan for 85 minutes. “But we got a lesson there at 0:8. But that was also a good experience. In general, the trip was very good for me. I came back to Cologne with more self-confidence and mentally stronger,” said Suleiman.
Missions to Palestine mean a lot to Suleiman, who speaks Arabic. The Palestinian already played for his home country in the U15 and U16. Soon, in November 2022, there will be a home tournament in Palestine. “But that’s not an official Fifa date. I don’t think I’ll be going there. Fortuna Cologne has priority for me now. I want to fight my way through and collect a few more minutes of play in the Regionalliga West this year,” emphasizes Suleiman.