FC Volendam has been left with a point from its Eredivisie return. Despite a dramatic start, a quick goal against and a 2-0 deficit halfway through the first half, FC Volendam was able to straighten up. Due to a goal by Daryl van Mieghem and a questionable goal by Benaissa Benamar (after interference by the VAR), it became 2-2 in Groningen.
Although the whole of Volendam had been eagerly looking forward to returning to the Eredivisie for 4,837 days, the ball was in it within 95 seconds. Cyril Ngonge took advantage of a mistake by Franco Antonucci and shot the ball from a distance out of reach of Filip Stankovic: 1-0.
The team of trainer Wim Jonk looked very nervous in the initial phase and unnecessarily led to a great opportunity for Jörgen Strand Larsen. After ten minutes the visitors came out of their shell and Antonucci seemed to make up for his mistake, but a nice save by Michael Verrips prevented that.
Volendam then got a better grip on FC Groningen, but fell short of football in the midfield. Again, weak intervention and half defending Volendam cost a goal against. Het Nieuwe Oranje was trumped on all fronts, after which Strand Larsen was able to tap in a cross from the right: 2-0. Volendam came back into the game completely out of nowhere. After a nice action by Derry John Murkin, Daryl van Mieghem got the ball, who then placed the connecting goal in the far corner in the 38th minute.
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Van Mieghem most dangerous
It was striking that Henk Veerman came into the team before the break. The tall striker was taken over from FC Utrecht this week and replaced Ibrahim El Kadiri. Robert Mühren moved to the number 10 position and became Antonucci right winger. On the stroke of half-time, Van Mieghem had the chance to equalize twice, but both times he shot against an opponent. The swift winger was by far the most dangerous man.
Van Mieghiem also proved this seven minutes after the break with an action between two men and the shot against the post that followed. Volendam suddenly had a good run and made it an equal match. Halfway through the second half, the wages turned to work for Volendam. Benaissa Benamar headed in from a corner from Van Mieghem, after which the VAR approved the goal: 2-2. Volendam faltered violently in the final phase, during the seven-minute stoppage time, but Wim Jonk’s team held up well. The first point in the Eredivisie is in.
FC Volendam line-up: Stankovic; Plat, Mirani, Van Duijl, Murkin; Benamar (W. Ould-Chikh/85), Eiting, Antonucci (Oristanio/78); Van Mieghem, Mühren (Zeefuik/85), El Kadiri (Veerman/38)