Exactly one hundred years ago, Koninklijke HFC played its first New Year’s match against former players of the Dutch national team. At the time, HFC won 4-1. This afternoon the amateurs bit the dust with 2-4. Ruben Schaken, Danny Koevermans (2x) and Glenn Helder scored the goals for the guests.
National coach Sjaak Swart had trouble putting together a good selection in the run-up to the match in Haarlem. Most experienced internationals who came into action were Frank de Boer (112 international matches) and Aron Winter (84 international matches). Rob Witschge (30 international matches), John van ‘t Schip (41 international matches) and Simon Tahamata (22 international matches) were also present, but also players without an A international match behind their name, such as Olaf Lindenbergh and Arno Splinter.
Ruben Schaken (7 international matches) opened the score in the 10th minute for around 1300 spectators. Five minutes later, Danny Koevermans (4 international matches) made it 0-2. Subsequently, former first team player of HFC Donny Verdam took care of the connection goal of the legendsbut almost immediately afterwards, former AZ player Koevermans nicely determined the halftime score at 1-3.
penalty kick
In the second half, referee Ruud Bossen, who said goodbye after fifteen New Year’s matches, whistled for a penalty for a foul in HFC’s penalty area. Just like in 2020 Glenn Helder (4 international matches) stood behind the ball and hit it. Wouter Haarmans took care of the 2-4 final score.
For the ex-internationals it was the 49th time that they came out victorious. HFC was the strongest 25 times. Fifteen times it was a draw. The competition has been canceled for the past two years due to the corona pandemic.
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