Undersized FC Groningen suffers an expensive loss of points against Helmond Sport in the hunt for top places

Joey Pelupessy or Johan Hove in midfield? Dick Lukkien was faced with that devilish dilemma in the run-up to the home match against Helmond Sport. A luxury problem.

The FC Groningen coach had a total of three options for his two controller positions. Laros Duarte was above any discussion. The gifted Rotterdammer scored two goals last weekend against FC Eindhoven (0-3). The other place went to Pelupessy after a careful consideration. The experienced player’s insight into the game was the deciding factor, in addition to the fact that the young players around him usually feel very comfortable with the (due to a broken nose) masked veteran in their presence.

Hardly any chances

It was not a guarantee for a well-oiled FC Groningen, because in the first half the northerners hardly made it difficult for Helmond Sport, who were in thirteenth place. The home club had difficulty putting pressure on the compact team of coach Bob Peeters. Chances were hardly created by the Groningers. A problem that also surfaced a week earlier against FC Eindhoven, although Dick Lukkien’s team disguised it by being exceptionally effective.

This time, even the few opportunities initially failed to materialize in a well-filled Euroborg. The first opportunity was for Romano Postema after almost twenty minutes, but the striker, blessed with seven goals, did not get further than a ball into the side net.

Biggest opportunity for Helmond Sport

Furthermore, there was (too) little happening in the green cathedral for peace and quiet. Isak Määttä, who replaced the injured Wouter Prins, claimed a penalty after more than half an hour when entering the penalty area, but the alleged Helmond offense was far too light for that. The only other Groningen achievement was a long shot by Marco Rente, but that went past the wrong side of the post.

The biggest chance in the first half ultimately belonged to Helmond Sport. In injury time, the Brabant team hit the right post during a lunge. It was food for thought. In a few weeks’ time, FC Groningen will face a tough program in the hunt for direct promotion with De Graafschap, ADO Den Haag, FC Emmen, NAC Breda, VVV-Venlo, SC Cambuur and Willem II and until then it can compete with the little ones. ‘don’t afford to make a mistake.

Zeal, no goals

Lukkien seemed to have given this to his men at halftime, as FC Groningen came out of the dressing room with more attacking intentions. It immediately led to opportunities for Postema, Leandro Bacuna and Thom van Bergen, but it also provided Helmond Sport on the other side of the field with more space for a quick counter-punch. It was Brabant top scorer Martijn Kaars (nineteen goals) who stormed towards the Groningen goal alone. Euroborg thanked goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus for keeping the 0-0 on the scoreboard.

In the remainder of the second half, the Groningers continued to try diligently and Lukkien tried to force something with fresh attack blood, but it remained with a free kick from Bacuna that flew wide and a shot from substitute Rui Mendes that went wide. All in all, it was too few and, above all, very expensive loss of points against the tough Helmonders in the battle for the top places. It was also a dubious harbinger for the next stop: Thursday in De Kuip.