Stumbling, the left-back was carried off the field in Rotterdam, where friend and linesman Shona Shukrula hugged him down the line as a supporter. The 27-year-old defender has been sidelined twice in the past with a serious knee injury. Against Excelsior, disaster struck again for the left leg.
Hardeveld, who also played for Heracles, left the field in tears. The defender goes to the hospital on Sunday morning to have his knee examined. The first signs are negative.
,,It doesn’t look good”, said coach Dick Lukkien afterwards in the mixed zone. ,,I am afraid that we will have another very nasty injury. His response spoke volumes.”
Shortly after Hardeveld had visited the catacombs, FC Emmen was hit again. In injury time, substitute Serano Seymor headed the Rotterdam team to a 2-1 win. Emmen therefore continues to dangle in the lower regions of the Eredivisie.