The people of Drenthe soon had to concede a goal against Eindhoven. After barely two minutes of play, the home team took the lead with a goal from Jasper Dahlhaus. He took the beautiful, long pass from Maarten Peijnenburg and then shot it hard into the far corner: 1-0.
So a downer for Emmen, but good news followed not much later. The supporters realized that FC Volendam, the number two in the Kitchen Champion Division, had also fallen behind. At the halftime signal, the Volendam team were even 3-1 behind.
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It was clear that Emmen did not want to become champion with a defeat and after the break the pace was increased. Dick Lukkien’s team had much more ball possession, but Emmen was unable to create really great opportunities either.
Volendam managed to reduce the damage in the second half against Dordrecht to one goal difference just before time, but a defeat could no longer be prevented and so Emmen is champion of the First Division despite the fact that it also lost itself.
FC Emmen player Metehan Guclu celebrates the championship.
PROSHOTS
De Graafschap still has a chance to reach the promotion play-offs. The team from Doetinchem played 1-1 against Jong PSV, but can participate as number 9 in the ranking in the playoffs if Almere City does not win the fourth period. The current number 7, Jong Ajax, is not allowed to participate in the promotion matches. Almere lost 1-0 to ADO Den Haag (goal Thomas Verheydt) and fell to third place in the period behind FC Emmen and number 2 FC Eindhoven.
In addition to FC Eindhoven, ADO Den Haag, Excelsior and Roda JC, NAC can also prepare for the post-competition. The club from Breda won 3-0 against Top Oss and has 3 points more than De Graafschap and a better goal difference.