FOOTBALL – Everything that FC Emmen feared in advance turned out to be true. The professional club could only lose, and did so. Third division player Hoogeveen won 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Sander Egbers. That’s cup football.
After an overwhelming fireworks show, the Drenthe cup poster could finally begin. The intentions of Hoogeveen coach Björn Zwikker were immediately clear. Sander Egbers was the only attacker on paper. His team collapsed and lurked on the counter and it worked.
FC Emmen tried to destroy Hoogeveen at a high pace. The first chance was also for Franck Evina, but Borgman was able to save easily. Captain Pascal Mulder also tried, but shot a meter wide.
After just over twenty minutes it was suddenly open at FC Emmen. Hoogeveen midfielder Joey Roufs found Egbers, and the striker was tapped by cup keeper Koen Bucker. Penalty kick and yellow. Egbers himself stood behind the ball and scored flawlessly: 1-0.
Five minutes before half-time, FC Emmen flashed past Hoogeveen’s defense with a good attack. Through Lukas Larsen and Evina it all happened too quickly for the home team, but Nelson Amadin aimed just wide of the goal.
After the break the first big chance came for Hoogeveen. A long throw from Egbers ended up at the feet of Jim Veltmaat. The midfielder shot well, but against Bucker’s fists. FC Emmen then pressed, but without creating any real danger.
The home team succeeded on the hour mark. A hard shot from Egbers just missed the post. Fifteen minutes before the end, the praised Christian Østergaard was close to the equalizer. The centre-back headed just a few centimeters wide.
In the final phase, Menno van Dam’s formation had three enormous opportunities to score 1-1. The first was for substitute Rodney Kongolo: high over. The second, and largest, for Chiel Sunder: from about eight meters against Borgman. The third, also immense, came from the foot of Alaa Bakir. He also shot over.
FC Emmen simply did not succeed, and so Hoogeveen continues to convert at the expense of FC Emmen. The draw for the second round will be on October 31.