Is this the weight off his shoulders? HSV striker scores for country! | OneFootball

After difficult weeks at HSV, Damion Downs finally found the net again while wearing the shirt of the U.S. U21 national team.

Downs was in the starting lineup for the 2–0 win over Japan and took his chance. The striker had been denied that kind of success since arriving in Hamburg in the winter. His goal drought had increasingly become a topic in recent weeks, and according to a recent Mopo report, his confidence had indeed suffered. According to the report, the 21-year-old is “carrying a huge mental burden around with him.”

That makes this moment of success all the more important. The obvious question is: could this be the breakthrough? For strikers in particular, moments like these are often decisive. A goal at the right time can remove mental blocks and clear the mind. Both HSV and Downs himself will be hoping that this is exactly the effect it has. Because in the final stretch of the season, the promoted side needs every attacking player performing at full capacity.

Photo: Getty Images

HSV stars impress in national team colors

There were also positives from HSV’s perspective beyond Downs. Fabio Baldé registered an assist in Portugal U20’s 3–0 win over Switzerland. Miro Muheim also stood out as a provider despite Switzerland’s 3–4 defeat against Germany. And super talent Luka Vušković even scored his first international goal in Croatia’s 2–1 win over Colombia. Afterwards, the press in his home country praised him to the skies. DFB youngsters Otto Stange and Louis Lemke also impressed.

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Things have been less encouraging so far during the international break for Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, who only made a brief appearance in Ghana’s 1–5 loss to Austria. The 24-year-old, who was called up at short notice by national team coach Otto Addo, was brought on for the final 20 minutes. On Monday (8:45 p.m.), Königsdörffer will also face Germany in Stuttgart.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.