Willem II has only one point left in the home game with AZ at the debut of trainer Kevin Hofland due to a late goal.
The coach from Brunssum sat on the bench at the Tilburg club for the first time. Willem II tries to prevent relegation from the Eredivisie. One of the competitors in that battle is Fortuna Sittard, where Hofland was previously head coach.
Head Start
The Tilburg team took the lead in the 7th minute, which was expanded and remained in place until injury time. Then substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal headed in the equalizer from a corner: 2-2.
Willem II scored again for the first time since February 6. Ché Nunnely’s header from a cross by Leeroy Owusu. The Belgian Elton Kabangu made it 2-0 10 minutes later. AZ defender Bruno Martins Indi reduced the margin to one goal by hitting a corner from close range.
No penalty
The home team thought they could reach 3-1 via a penalty kick in the injury time of the first half, but that was canceled after the intervention of the VAR. Captain Freek Heerkens would have fallen because he kicked into the ground and not because an AZ player hit him. This was hard to see in the replay.
To care
That 2-1 score remained for a long time, despite balls from AZ on the post and crossbar. But due to Aboukhlal’s late goal, concerns about relegation will remain great in Tilburg. The lead of the team of last Monday appointed Hofland over last Monday PEC Zwolle is 3 points. Willem II has 1 point more than Fortuna Sittard, but has also played a game more.