Hoogeveen is the winner after wear and tear. Klazienaveen remains third division

Chairman Carlo van der Weij is relaxed beforehand in the match: ,,It’s just like on Sunday, nice if we promote, but we don’t have to.” It would be the last step for Hoogeveen on Saturday, due to the introduction of weekend football two departments of one club can’t both participate in that. With promotion to the second division, there is no further perspective, higher is not possible. Klazienaveen would like to go up.

The merger with Zwartemeer has not yet led to sporting success and in a region where SC Drenthe used to play professional football, a step higher is a heartfelt wish. The soap around trainer Hegeman has been described enough, contract extended, terminated, fired, rehired and fired again. His successor Michel Kerkdijk was called in early.

Helpless as a wasp in coke

The first danger came from the home team and immediately resulted in a goal. Saroney Vreeling walked in an initially cleared cross, he kissed his girlfriend on the sidelines and rushed to his own half. Klazienaveen’s protest about legal validity was in vain (1-0). Hoogeveen also got one chance, where the word getting should be taken literally.

Right back Stefan Pattipeilohy first seemed to make hands and then, helpless as a wasp in a glass of coke, gave the ball to Aaron Brinks, who hit the post (1-1.). The teams played fearfully, as if there was corporal punishment for loss.

It became a match in which physical strength played a greater role than technical and tactical skills, but so little happened before the break, so much spectacle could be admired afterwards. After fine work by Zyfyon Djababoe, 39-year-old Marcel Linthorst missed an opportunity that should not be missed: an empty goal, two meters away. He had to pay for his miss with a substitution and Linthorst disappeared disillusioned to the side. During the drinking break, assistant coach Rick Mulderij moved magnets onto a board to explain the tactics to the substitutes and the rest of the team. It worked immediately, as Djababoe escaped, and remained calm in front of goal. Justin Schimmel of the guests had to stop the chase with cramp (2-1).

It’s raining yellow cards

The match became grimmer and referee Tommy Postma had a tough time. He sprinkled yellow furiously and it was a small miracle that it ended with eleven against eleven. Klazienveen did not give up yet. Brinks headed in the equalizer from a corner by Eduard Kobes (2-2), just at a time when Klazienaveen was playing with ten men due to an injury. In the final phase, the fitter Hoogeveen reeled in the win. Mart Pastoor trumped the slow-reacting goalkeeper Justin Verschoor after a cross from Esad Yilderim (3-2). Moments later, Yilderim decided the pot: 4-2) after an action by Wolters.

Now Zuidhorn, we would like to go up

Trainer Herman Schonewille had a convincing explanation for the win: ,,The substitutions made the difference, Esad and Mart. We had it well closed in the back today. Yes, now the final, exciting. We are a real team, we have not lost to Klazienaveen this season. Boys class. We want to go up, even if we can’t go any higher. We want to make boys better, so maybe they can go to Sunday. After the summer, two men will also train with the Sunday team. Who? No, I can’t say that yet. First Zuidhorn, probably a good team.”