FC Emmen ended the first half of the season on a low note. FC Dordrecht treated the team of coach Fred Grim to the fourth defeat in a row on Saturday. The winter break seems to be a time for reflection.
It was clear in advance that FC Dordrecht would not be an easy opponent. The team with De Schapehoofd as its wonderful nickname, has already taken points this season from, among others, Roda JC, ADO Den Haag, FC Groningen, SC Cambuur and NAC Breda. But FC Emmen had traveled to the Krommedijk stadium for nothing less than a victory. Because where just a few weeks ago the top position was up for grabs, the team had dropped to sixth place after three defeats in a row.
Although that match did not yield the desired result, Fred Grim started with almost the same starting eleven as last week against Roda JC, except for two positions. At left front, Chardi Landu was given the opportunity instead of Rui Mendes, who can’t seem to find the right form. The trainer chose Patrick Brouwer at left back. He undoubtedly created an emergency connection due to the absence of Jeff Hardeveld and Lorenzo Burnet. The latter was missing because he recently became a father.
Childishly simple
As the position in the rankings could suggest – only two points separated both teams prior to Saturday’s match – it was a fairly even battle between FC Emmen and FC Dordrecht for a long time. The first really big opportunity came in the name of an Emmen resident. After about fifteen minutes of play, Landu rushed away on the left flank, was given space to take a shot, but saw his shot bounce back into the field via the post. Brouwer also asserted himself with a long shot.
The phase just before half time really shook De Krommedijk to its foundations. The home team opened the score in injury time. In fact, Korede Osundina received the ball from a free kick from his own half on behalf of FC Dordrecht, then childishly easily passed around his direct opponent and finished coolly. Goalkeeper Jan Hoekstra didn’t stand a chance. There was great joy among the Sheepheads, but that would not last long. A minute later, FC Emmen scored the equalizer.
About thirty meters from the opponent’s goal, the Drenthe team was allowed to line up for a free kick. To the surprise of many, Joey Konings shot the ball on goal in one go. A piece of cake for FC Dordrecht goalie Trevor Doornbusch, or so it seemed. Practice turned out to be different: Doornbusch committed a huge blunder and let the ball slip through his fingers and through his legs. A big boost for FC Emmen and a goal that did justice to the match picture at that moment.
Time for reflection
After the break, Fred Grim’s team actively hunted for the lead and soon came close. After hitting the post earlier, Landu now found the bar in his way. The youngster, who has been struggling with various injuries since August and only played his first minutes in the FC Emmen shirt last week, thus left his mark on the match. But once again, FC Dordrecht managed to score earlier: the agile Ilias Sebaoui scored from outside the penalty area: 2-1.
Although FC Emmen hit the crossbar again in the following phase via El Messaoudi, the team had its hands full against FC Dordrecht as the second half progressed. The home team played appropriately and it was partly thanks to Hoekstra that worse was prevented. Fred Grim tried to bring about a change by providing his team with fresh energy, but the arrival of Rui Mendes, Ben Scholte and Jorrit Smeets proved to be in vain.
FC Emmen suffered the fourth defeat in a row in Dordrecht. Instead of closing the gap to ADO Den Haag, Roda JC and Willem II, the Drenthe team dropped to seventh place in the rankings. Time for reflection during the winter break.