Hovocubo did not manage to extend the national title in the futsal premier league tonight. The second game in the best-of-three series against FC Eindhoven was lost 2-1. Earlier this week, Hovocubo was too strong in Zwaag after extra time with 3-1. The decision must be made in the third game on Sunday.
The reigning national champion entered the well-filled Indoorsportcenter in Eindhoven without strongholds Mats Velseboer (suspended) and Ilias Bouzit (injured). Trainer Sander van Dijk was also missing. He follows the remainder of the best-of-three series at home for private reasons.
The team from Eindhoven quickly took the lead. Tevfik Ceyar opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Hovocubo then had a hard time and came out with difficulty under the pressure of the Brabanders, who also hit the post. Yet Faisal Mellah scored the equalizer just before the break. After the break it was again Ceyar who passed goalkeeper Dave Stet: 2-1.
In the last four minutes, interim coach Appie Marbah started to play power play and exchanged his keeper for a fifth field player. With Noureddine Oulad Ben Youssef within the lines, Hovocubo searched in vain for the opening to get the equalizer on the board.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., FC Eindhoven and Hovocubo will face each other again in Brabant.