FC Volendam has again overrun the competition in the first division. The leader won at home with some difficulty from Jong AZ (2-1) and saw FC Emmen and ADO Den Haag lose points. Goalkeeper Filip Stankovic became the hero of the evening by stopping a penalty just before time.
It seemed to be an easy evening for FC Volendam when the Ould-Chikh brothers got it on their hips. Walid Ould-Chikh reached the backline in the eighth minute and gave a low cross. Bilal Ould-Chikh knew what to do with that: he hit the target in the far corner.
Young AZ, however, did not allow itself to be led to the slaughter. After sloppy loss of the ball in the defense of Volendam, Mo Taabouni picked up the ball. With a low diagonal shot he passed Filip Stankovic: 1-1.
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FC Volendam had a hard time against Young AZ – NH Sport / Edward Dekker
In the remainder of the first half there were opportunities for both goals, but no goals were scored. That happened right after the break. A low corner by Daryl van Mieghem was hit hard from close range by FC Volendam captain Damon Mirani.
Stankovic saves FC Volendam
After that, the Volendam team could have closed the game. Bilal Ould-Chikh and Achraf Douiri were unable to pass Sam Westerveld, the keeper of Jong AZ. Because of those saves it remained exciting and the Alkmaar promises had the ideal opportunity to equalize five minutes before the end. A foul by Sjors Kramer resulted in a penalty kick. Filip Stankovic became the hero of the evening by stopping Peer Koopmeiners’ penalty.
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Young AZ coach Maarten Marten is proud, but is disappointed at the same time – NH Sport / Edward Dekker
Numbers two and four FC Emmen and ADO Den Haag did not win tonight. Emmen drew 0-0 against Almere City and ADO lost 3-2 at home to MVV. FC Volendam now has a seven point lead over FC Emmen, but has played one game less. ADO Den Haag follows on eleven points after 26 games.
FC Volendam line-up: Stankovic; Douiri (Kramer/74), Benamar (Flint/46), Mirani, James; Oristanio (A. Plat/74), W. Ould-Chikh (Blommestijn/80), Deul; B. Ould-Chikh, Mühren, Van Mieghem
Line-up Young AZ: Westerveld; Gemmel (Lathouwers/73), Schouten, Velthuis (Engel/63), Dekker; De Jong (Meerdink/87), Franken (Van Brederode/46), Koopmeiners; Griffith (Allouch/73), Poku, Taabouni
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