Fortuna Sittard has taken three important points in its own stadium in the fight against relegation. Zian Flemming decided the match against Willem II with a header in the 51st minute: 1-0.
Fortuna passes the Tilburg club in the ranking and is now 15th.
Offensive
Fortuna was last in the Eredivisie at the start of the game against the Tilburg team. Partly because Sparta won on Saturday afternoon against Go Ahead (1-0).
Sjors Ultee opted for the attack in his line-up. Lisandro Semedo started for the first time in the starting line-up this season, alongside Charlison Benschop and Zian Flemming. Andreas Samaris did not start as an extra lock in the defense this time. The Greek veteran started on the bench. His compatriot Dimitrios Siovas did start the relegation cracker. Mats Seuntjens was fit enough to play.
Flemming
In the initial phase Willem II had more possession of the ball, without this providing great opportunities. Fortuna got opportunities through Zian Flemming. First he headed a cross from Mats Seuntjens wide. Moments later, the attacker missed a bigger chance. He showed Wessel Dammers his heels, but pushed the ball wide. The next opportunity was the biggest, but again Flemming’s ball went just wide. As a result, the opening goal failed to materialize. Opportunities arose from the guests. Elton Kabangu shot wide and his next shot was caught by goalkeeper Yanick van Osch. Because a header by Benschop went wide, the break was reached 0-0.
Finally
The two teams started the second half without changes. And what Flemming couldn’t do before half-time, he did in the 51st minute. The attacker headed a pass from Semedo behind Willem II goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther: 1-0. Then Willem II secured Fortuna in his own half. With a number of corner kicks as a result, but no goals.
bills
After more than an hour, Sjors Ultee exchanged three players. Semedo, Ben Rienstra and Benschop went off. Jordan Botaka, Tesfaldet Tekie and Andreas Samaris joined the squad. That meant Fortuna was going to play more defensively with Andreas Samaris as an extra man in the defense. Willem II’s interim coach Danny Landzaat responded with two substitutions, including newcomer Abdenasser El Khayati.
Pole
The best chance, however, was for Mats Seuntjens. In the 80th minute he saw a well placed shot hit the post. That was immediately his last action. The injured Seuntjens was replaced by defender Nigel Lonwijk.
Relief
The reinforced Sittard defense ensured that the Tilburg guests hardly created a chance, but it remained exciting. Also in the five minutes of extra time Fortuna remained standing – although it had some fortune in the final phase – and dragged the 1-0 victory out of the battle.