‘Pep van het Noorden’ with WVV lost in top match against ON

WVV was that team that struggled through the season for years with their sleeves rolled up, a few beasts of guys on the field and ninety minutes of swearing at each other. Rarely was it entertaining what the Winschoters showed. But those times are over. Under coach Gerard Wiekens, WVV has become an entertaining football machine. There is hardly any mutual irritation anymore. You could even call the team sympathetic.

It gave WVV the full spoils in the first six matches. After that things started to get a bit messy. This weekend WVV played in Groningen against fellow leader Oranje Nassau, which had the same number of points after nine matches and was also equal in goal difference with the Winschoters.

Pep Guardiola

ON is the opposite of the old WVV. With coach Erwin Heerlijn, who, because of his approach to the game – and yes, also his bald head – was nicknamed ‘Pep’ by his players, after Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. The Groningers often play entertaining and ultra-attacking, sometimes naive.

On Saturday afternoon, the match between ON and WVV was not a clash between two styles, but with the new WVV a meeting between two teams that want to offer the public something beautiful. WVV was the best at this. The guests were the dominant party with dynamic play. Heerlijn may bear the nickname ‘Pep’. That honorary title was awarded to WVV coach Wiekens in this match. Scoring goals turned out to be the problem for his team, allowing ON to win.

Effectively ON

The home team quickly took the lead on Saturday through Peter van Son, who, after a good combination in the penalty area with Ezra Schrijver, squeezed past a WVV defender and scored. Then it was the turn of the chaotically organized WVV. With midfielders appearing in attack and attackers defending, ON was pushed back further and further. The Winschoters also had opportunities, but partly thanks to ON goalkeeper Erwin Hedekamp, ​​the home team kept the goal clean before halftime. In the final minute of the first half, ON countered nicely to make it 2-0 by Van Son again. The goal was preceded by a wonderful pass from Tyson dos Santos.

After the break, WVV remained the better. Thijs Hateboer came close to scoring twice, but it was Ivar Bruins who tapped in from close range halfway through the second half after a cross from Martijn Delger. WVV then passionately looked for the deserved equalizer, but it did not come. It was ON substitute Thomas Careman who finally ended the match in the last minute of regular playing time. He easily tapped in a cross from Felipe Marcal Pinheiro.

Mixed feelings

Wiekens had mixed feelings after the lost match. “I thought we were good, but in the end we left empty-handed. That sucks. I can’t look through the results yet, because I want to win. It is of course nice that we are playing well. I’m going to tell them that in the locker room; We played well, but didn’t reward ourselves.”

According to Wiekens, the metamorphosis of WVV, from boring work football to a dazzling combination game, has to do with the departure of the old guard and the advancement of a group of young, enthusiastic players. “It is a group of football players who do a lot for it. WVV should be known for good and beautiful football. We are working on that now.” Wiekens discounts his own role. “A coach is only as good as the players he has at his disposal. If you have good football players, you can play good football. That doesn’t have much to do with me,” said the ‘Pep of the North’ modestly.