FOOTBALL – FC Emmen won 2-1 against Jong Ajax tonight. After a lousy first half, in which the Drenthe were regularly extras in an Amsterdam rondo, it seemed to be getting damaged. But a strong second half finally brought Dick Lukkien’s team the necessary points.
The victory strengthens FC Emmen second place in the Kitchen Champion Division with 55 points from 26 matches. FC Volendam, which beat Helmond Sport 4-1, is 62 out of 27. Excelsior, which beat Roda JC 2-0, is third with 52 out of 27. FC Eindhoven, which won for the sixth time in a row, is fourth with 50 points from 27 games and ADO Den Haag is in sixth place with 48 from 27.
Opportunities both ways
The match between the number two and the number four immediately ignited with great opportunities from both sides. Young Ajax captain Youri Regeer in particular appeared dangerously several times in the Drenthe penalty area. Partly due to a strong performance by Michael Brouwer, he did not score.
On the other hand, Ole Romeny was the most dangerous man in the first half. After a combination via Keziah Veendorp and Peter van Ooijen, the ball ended up at the wing striker. He shot in, but did so from an offside position. Moments later, Romeny was once again close to the lead, but found the aluminum in the shape of a post with a flaming shot.
Poffert on the nose
Just before the halftime signal, Sontje Hansen gave the guests the lead. Inattention by the Drenthe formation was optimally exploited by Kristian Rasmussen. He found Hansen in the depths and he hit the target. A poffertje on the nose of the red and white, who had to change things in the second act.
That also happened, because FC Emmen started the second half full of energy and with two new faces: Rui Mendes and Mart Lieder. They relieved Romeny and Van Ooijen and created new impetus within the lines. A tactical intervention by Lukkien, who also saw the duel power of his team grow. The home team tied the score in the 57th minute. Lieder shot hard at goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie and in the rebound the ball was headed into the empty goal by Reda Kharchouch: 1-1.
Araujo on the cross
Emmen seemed to be going for it and with a free ball from Miguel Araujo, two minutes after the equalizer, he was close to 2-1. The Peruvian’s fine effort, however, ended up on the crossbar via Raatsie. The next chance was right. Young Ajax paid no attention at all to a quick free ball from Lieder on Mendes. The Portuguese still encountered Raatsie, but Kharchouch was again in the right place: 2-1.
After that, Jong Ajax took the initiative again and forced Brouwer to make some great saves. Heracles’ mercenary miraculously turned the bets of Hlynsson and Rasmussen into man of the match.
Sad retreat Lieder
In the final phase, Lieder wanted to start a duel deep in the half of Jong Ajax, but he did so with such enthusiasm that it resulted in an apparently serious knee injury. Groaning in pain, he lay in the corner by the corner flag, waving for medical help. A sad retreat by stretcher was ultimately a stain on the important three-pointer for the Drenthe.