Omlandia cannot prevent degradation: blistering tension (and heat) in Bakkeveen

There was not only sweltering tension in Bakkeveen, the place where the final was played, but also sweltering heat. Omlandia seemed to handle both antagonists best in the early stages. Wouter Hoek should have shot the Ten Boersters ahead after ten minutes from a nicely set up attack, but he aimed straight into the hands of IJVC goalie Jorrit Hoekstra.

The same Hoekstra lost the ball two minutes later clumsily to the well-disturbing Jeremy van Coevorden and he was able to easily slide in the 0-1. Moments later, Stefan Nieboer appeared free for Hoekstra after a subtle pass from good-old Jan Oosterbeek, but this time the closing post reacted alertly.

During the first half, however, Omlandia started to lose control of the game. The Frisians were increasingly dangerous and also had some nice chances. Just before the break, nevertheless, an excellent opportunity for Hoek to give IJVC a mental blow, but where he should have shot himself, he gave a failed cross.

Disastrous start

With the meager lead, Omlandia started the second half disastrously. A corner from IJVC was not cleared properly at the far post where Lars Bos gave the decisive push: 1-1. From that moment on, the fitter-looking Frisians controlled the game.

There was one more shot that had changed direction, which was nicely tapped over the crossbar by the Frisian goalkeeper, but otherwise it was offensive at Omlandia. Not so with the Frisians. After IJVC had already hit the aluminum once, it was hit fifteen minutes before the end. The ball came over the crossbar in front of Niels Albertsma’s foot and he aimed from close range: 2-1.

Building a new team

Omlandia tried everything to turn the tide, but the spirit was just gone. In the generous injury time, Bos once again delivered the final blow: 3-1. A deserved victory and therefore promotion for the team from the picturesque Eleven Cities town of IJlst. Omlandia returns to the fourth division after seventeen years.

,,It was over in the second half”, Omlandia chairman Sven Gout had also seen. ,,This certainly hurts for a while, but by stopping at least seven basic players, it may not be a disaster to play a class lower. The new trainer Martijn Smit can then build a new, young team.”