Willem II takes on Telstar in the final of the play-offs. The Tilburgers defeated FC Dordrecht on Saturday evening after a debilitating penalty series. If the club manages to win that final, Willem II will remain in the Eredivisie.
After a 2-1 defeat in the first game, Willem II had to win on Saturday evening to reach the final. The Tilburgers started furiously: after three minutes, Tommy St. Jago opened the score with a long shot. A few minutes later, Jens Mathijsen doubled the lead by tapping a corner. Dordrecht came back via Jaden Slory, who shot the ball into the intersection, but just before half-time Tommy Lambert headed in the 3-1 after a free kick.
The tension remained in the second half. FC Dordrecht did not give in and managed to make the connection goal via substitute Ezeb, so that the score was drawn to two games: 4-4. Both teams were given opportunities to decide the game in regular playing time, but did not succeed. This had to bring an extension a definitive answer. There was no score.
That is why a penalty kick series had to make the decision. He won Willem II 5-4. Midfielder Igor da Silva from FC Dordrecht was the only one missing a penalty. He shot the ball on the post.
Final Play-Offs
With this victory, Willem II has qualified for the final of the play-offs, in which promotion to the Eredivisie is at stake. The team showed resilience and determination after the earlier defeat in Dordrecht.
Willem II fights on Thursday and next Sunday with Telstar for the coveted Eredivisie place for next season. The club from Velsen eliminated FC Den Bosch on Friday after extension.
Omroep Brabant kept a live blog at the competition. You can read back here.