New blow for FC Emmen: Drenten loses certain victory in the final phase

In December, FC Emmen secretly dreamed of taking the lead in the Kitchen Champion Division, but seven defeats and a poor draw later, a crisis is near at De Oude Meerdijk. Especially now that in addition to the results, the game shown is also visibly deteriorating. The absolute low point was last week’s hopeless 3-0 defeat against Jong PSV.

In FC Emmen coach Fred Grim’s quest to turn the tide, he scored Jut’s head before the match against Roda JC striker Piotr Parzyszek. The club’s top scorer with seven goals was sacrificed and his place at the point of attack was taken by Joey Konings. A change that had no effect whatsoever, because in the first half the ball was rarely in Drenthe’s possession and certainly not in Roda JC’s half.

Ode to Marco Engel

It was thanks to Jan Hoekstra that FC Emmen seemed to reach the break unscathed. De Drent has not always proven to be a reliable closing post this season, but made good saves in the first half on shots from Arjen van der Heide and former Emmen native Teun Bijleveld and remained cool when Roda striker Václav Sejk appeared in front of him. The last chance arose just after the moment that the accompanying FC Emmen supporters honored their suddenly deceased fellow supporter Marco Engel with an applause in the thirtieth minute. The packed Koempel Tribune with the fanatical Roda JC supporters clapped respectfully.

Shortly before halftime, Hoekstra, who played one season in Kerkrade, was beaten. The goalkeeper had no chance on a deflected shot from Van der Heide. FC Emmen had not been close to the Limburg goal before half time, except for a shot from Maikel Kieftenbeld and a through ball over the back line from Desley Ubbink, but in injury time of the first half the Drenthe came alongside out of nowhere. The guests were given a free kick at the halfway line and after looking at the clock, Mike te Wierik directed almost all his teammates forward. The Tukker, of all people, received the ball at his feet in the penalty area and pushed the ball unstoppably past Roda keeper Calvin Raatsie.

Bizarre final phase

The second half started with a clever shot from FC Emmen back Robin Schouten, but a few seconds later Roda JC had a huge opportunity to take the lead again. Van der Heide hit the post and on the rebound Sejk tapped the ball wide in a promising position.

FC Emmen asserted itself more after the break and after an excellent attack, Chardi Landu had a great opportunity to give the Drenthe team the lead in a match for the first time since January 13. The left winger received the ball ready-made by Vicente Besuijen, but rammed the ball wildly over the crossbar.

With the introduction of Ben Scholte for Ubbink, who was once again playing disappointingly, the pressure on Roda JC increased. With his first ball contact, the youth product of Drenthe was already close to 1-0. Four minutes after he came on, he scored. From an awkward angle, Scholte beautifully rammed the ball into the roof of the goal.

FC Emmen trembled in the final phase, but held on for a long time. In injury time, Hoekstra made another slip. The goalkeeper released a high ball, was knocked, but was saved on the goal line by Jeff Hardeveld. From the corner kick that followed, FC Emmen had to concede a goal: substitute Saydou Bangura headed the 2-2 behind Hoekstra. That wasn’t the end of it yet. In the closing seconds of the match, former FC Emmen player Teun Bijleveld rammed the 3-2 against the ropes.