FC Volendam failed to win against NAC Breda tonight. The leader of the first division did not lose either: 0-0. For the first time since April 5 last year, the Volendam team failed to score in the competition. Competitor Excelsior also drew, leaving the gap six points.
Wim Jonk’s team had a hard time in Breda. Feyenoord mercenary Naoufal Bannis and ex-AZ player Thom Haye were teasing spirits for FC Volendam. However, Filip Stankovic had a good day and was an obstacle for NAC Breda.
The North Hollanders also got opportunities, although there were also many inaccuracies in the final pass. The times that FC Volendam did pass, the ball did not go in. Franco Antonucci, who started in the base, had the 0-1 on his shoe in the first half. His shot from the edge of the penalty area was stopped by former AZ goalkeeper Nick Olij.
Opportunities in the final phase
The game wasn’t great, but in the final phase both teams started to come out of their shells more and more. Bannis turned up alone for Stankovic more than fifteen minutes before the end, but the Serb made a good save. Then it was FC Volendam’s turn. After a shot from debutant Bilal Ould-Chikh, Samir Ben Sallam had the winning goal on his shoe. Face to face with Olij, the substitute tried with a marker, but that bet was saved. Club top scorer Robert Mühren also had the winning goal on his shoe, but again Olij saved.
Thus, the game ended as it began: 0-0. For the first time in nine months, the Volendam team did not manage to score in the first division. The draw does mean that FC Volendam is now unbeaten for twenty league games in a row. The club record stands at 21 matches (1969/1970).
FC Volendam line-up: Stankovic; Kasius, Mirani, Benamar, Flint (Eerdhuijzen/62); Deul, Oristanio (B. Ould-Chikh/46), Antonucci (Ben Sallam/72); Van Mieghem (Johnson/72), Mühren, W. Ould-Chikh (Visser/79)