FC Volendam battles alongside Heracles Almelo and takes a hard-fought first point

After its fifth match in the Premier League, FC Volendam has finally gotten rid of the hateful zero. Matthias Kohler’s team played anything but a good match, but fought back well from a 0-2 deficit. Thanks to goals from Benaissa Benamar and Robert Mühren, the score became 2-2 in the final phase.

Photo: FC Volendam captain Damon Mirani makes a tackle – PRO SHOTS / Vincent de Vries

At FC Volendam, newcomers Luke Le Roux, George Cox and Robin Maulun were missing for various reasons. Xavier Mbuyama, who is not match fit, is also still absent, meaning Damon Mirani and Benaissa Benamar once again played together in the center back.

The first big chance of the match was for Heracles. Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus caused Milan de Haan problems, after which Mohamed Sankoh was able to steal the ball from the midfielder and go around Backhaus. Fortunately for FC Volendam, Mirani returned just in time to intervene.

Text continues below the photo.

Photo: FC Volendam defender Josh Flint in a duel with Mohamed Sankoh – Orange Pictures

On the other hand, Calvin Twigt came closest to a hit. The brand new international of the Dutch Juniors shot a free kick just over the crossbar. Just before the end of the first half, Bryan Limbombe fired at the Volendam goal again, but Backhaus was in the right angle, leaving the score at 0-0 halfway through.

Poor defending

After tea, FC Volendam quickly conceded a goal. A free kick from Heracles was not cleared properly after which the ball ended up with Brian de Keersmaecker. The Belgian midfielder shot hard and low into the far corner. A few minutes later the visitors scored again. Emil Hansson shot the ball beautifully into the top right corner from the corner of the penalty area.

Sea trap important

FC Volendam diligently looked for the tying goal in the last half hour. This came in the 71st minute after substitute Lequincio Zeefuik headed the ball from a throw-in towards Benamar, who was able to tap in from close range: 2-1.

FC Volendam eventually fought alongside Heracles in the final phase through sheer force of will. Once again the goal came from a standard situation, a corner. This time Robert Mühren was the final stop. The Volendam striker scored the equalizer with his second goal of the season.

Match briefly stopped

After Mühren’s 2-2, several plastic cups were thrown onto the field, after which referee Ingmar Oostrom had to stop the game.

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Photo: Plastic cup on the field – Pro Shots/Vincent de Vries

After a short break, the final minutes of the match were completed. Navajo Bakboorkd had a huge opportunity to score the winning goal on behalf of the visitors. However, the full-back shot the ball hard onto the crossbar.

On the other hand, Mühren failed to give FC Volendam the three points in the end. After good work by substitute Darius Johnson, Mühren’s attempt was saved by Heracles goalkeeper Michael Brouwer.

Thanks to the point, FC Volendam climbs to the penultimate place. It now has one point, just like Almere City, but a better goal difference. Next week Volendam will play away twice: successively against Ajax and PSV.

FC Volendam line-up: Backhaus; Flat, Mirani, Benamar, Flint; Twigt, De Haan, Antonioli (Zeefuik/64); Kuol (Booth/72), Mühren, Ould-Chikh (Johnson/90+2)

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