FOOTBALL – FC Emmen coach Dick Lukkien enjoyed the top matches in the Champions League last week. He saw a dazzling show from Manchester City and Real Madrid and then a convincing victory from Liverpool, the club of his former pupil Virgil van Dijk. Whether the FC Emmen duel tonight in Eindhoven will also be enjoyed is the question.
“There are two teams facing each other who concede few goals, but in any case we are going full for the win to become champions in style,” said the coach. “The group is very focused on the title. There is a realization that you can become part of the history of the club. That naturally looks great on your resume.”
Lukkien has Keziah Veendorp at his disposal again tonight in the Jan Louwers Stadium, the home of FC Eindhoven. The all-rounder is back after a suspension after his two yellow cards in the promotion match in Dordrecht. He will start as right back, moving Mitch Apau to the bench. It is unclear whether there are any further changes, although Lucas Bernadou has been knocking firmly on the trainer’s door in recent weeks. “He is certainly worth considering, also because a number of players have taken off a nice jacket because of Ramadan.”
Tonight FC Emmen will be against the number 3 of the Kitchen Champion Division, who won 1-0 in Emmen earlier this season, supported by 450 supporters from Drenthe. Despite enormous interest, there was nothing more in it. “I understand that this has been the mayor’s policy all season, so we have to respect that. And I also understand that the stadium does not have to be red and white, but I think it is a pity that no thought was given to make 1000 out of 450.”