MVV has won the away match at Helmond Sport on the eve of its 120th anniversary. The Maastricht football club went off the field with a 2-1 victory.
The artificial grass in Helmond was cleared of snow for a duel between the two teams, who, together with Jong FC Utrecht, are at the bottom of the ranking in the first division. The 250 MVV supporters who traveled along saw two different halves of their team with a good outcome.
Coach change
The change of trainers at MVV earlier this week, Klaas Wels was fired and assistant Maurice Verberne moved on to the position of head coach, led to another victory for the Maastricht team.
A windfall for Verberne was that Nicky Souren, back from injury, was able to start back in the starting lineup. On the other hand, attacker Mart Remans was not fit enough and was replaced by Mitchy Ntelo. The mercenary of Standard Luik was the trendsetter in the home match against Helmond Sport with a hat trick (3-2 win).
Goalkeeper Matthys
Goalkeeper Romain Matthys had to act immediately in the first minute. He did that with gusto. In the opening phase he had to come into action a few more times. MVV had a hard time. After fifteen minutes, MVV was able to free itself from the grip of the home club for the first time. But Helmond Sport immediately took the initiative again. Matthys acted once more.
Just before half time, however, the MVV goalkeeper had to capitulate. Dylan Seys gave Helmond the lead: 1-0 (42′). With that position, peace was reached.
Metamorphosis MVV
In the first 45 minutes, MVV was clearly the lesser team. Verberne exchanged his right back, Elano Yegen, for Tim Zeegers and started the rest of the game. Whether that caused the metamorphosis was not entirely clear, but the fact was that MVV played a much better 2nd half. In the 52nd minute a corner by Sven Blummel led to the equalizing goal. Mitchel Keulen scored his first goal in Maastricht service, 1-1.
Substitute Tim Zeegers was at the base of the 1-2 fifteen minutes later. A cross from the right back was headed into the goal by Orhan Dzepar (against his old club). After that, MVV goalie Matthys had to show his ability a few times and the Belgian goalkeeper has been entrusted with that. Substitute Arian Kastrati was still close to 1-3, but his header was taken off the line.
Party
After the great away victories at ADO and De Graafschap and the weak performances at home against Jong AZ and Almere City, MVV now turned the 1-0 deficit into a 1-2 victory against a battered, that is, Helmond Sport. Interim coach Maurice Verberne makes his debut with a win and the three points give the 120th anniversary that will be celebrated this weekend extra shine, despite the low ranking for the Star Carriers.