They were entitled to more, but in the end FC Volendam ended up empty-handed in Waalwijk. The Volendam team came alongside just before the end thanks to a striking header from Benaissa Benamar and were still entitled to the winner. However, it still went completely wrong, as Yassin Oukili made it 2-1 for RKC, completely against the odds.
In advance it was an important match between numbers fourteen and sixteen of the Premier League. The difference was only two points, which meant Volendam could do good business with a win. At Het Nieuwe Oranje, acquisition George Cox made his debut as a left back and Xavier Mbuyamba returned to the heart of the defense after two months of injuries.
In the first minutes, RKC Waalwijk immediately had opportunities through Michiel Kramer, who played football at De Dijk in the past. Volendam straightened out and got better and better into the game. The visitors had the first chance through Bilal Ould-Chikh, but his effort from a difficult angle sailed over. A little later Robert Mühren was also dangerous. His effort was saved by goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen.
Min
Although Volendam was in control, they did concede a nasty goal at the end of the first half. Just before half time, Chris Lokesa came close with a shot against the crossbar. A minute later, Volendam goalkeeper Mio Backhaus still had to fish the ball out of the net. David Min, who played football for Telstar last year, hit the ball nicely: 1-0.
Volendam came out of the dressing room a lot better. The visitors had much more control and the game mainly took place in RKC’s half. However, a clean final pass was often lacking, which meant that Volendam did not have great opportunities. On the other hand, Backhaus asserted himself on a dangerous header by Dario van der Buijs from a corner.
Crazy final phase
Just over ten minutes before the end, substitute Quincy Hoeve came close to the equalizer with a header. His effort ended up on the roof of the goal, but that was the starting signal for the final offensive of the Eel Farmers. Ould-Chikh was mainly threatening from the sides in the final phase, but there was no real conviction in the finishing.
Two minutes before the end, Volendam got their reward, as Benaissa Benamar headed home from a cross from Darius Johnson. Hoeve then had the perfect chance to win, but his effort went just wide. Miraculously, things still went wrong for Volendam, as Yassin Oukili shot RKC to 2-1 from outside the box in injury time.
After the defeat, FC Volendam remains stuck on four points. Next week the sub-topper Excelsior will visit De Dijk.
FC Volendam line-up: Backhaus; Payne (Buur/74), Mbuyamba (Johnson/63), Benamar, Cox (Flint/78); Mirani; De Haan, Twigt; Ould-Chikh, Mühren, Kuol (Hoeve/78)