The reunion with Groningen after almost a quarter of a century ended in deception for Telstar. The home club won 2-0 in the Euroborg thanks to two goals from Luciano Valente.
A place had been reserved for Thomas Oude Kotte in the starting line-up as a replacement for the suspended Jorginho Soares. He has been missing in recent weeks with an injury and was initially expected to return last Monday. The defender was absent due to family circumstances. His presence could not help Telstar in the opening phase, as it was already 1-0 after six minutes.
Luciano Valente headed in a cross from Marvin Peersman. In the phase after the goal, the White Lions continued to have difficulty with Groningen’s attacking urge. Ronald Koeman Jr.’s fumbling was typical. The goalkeeper promptly handed the ball to Thom van Bergen and was lucky that Danny Bakker cleared the ball off the line. Valente scored his second goal not much later.
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Telstar only became really dangerous for the first time in minute 47. Tim van de Loo was released in front of the goal, but then shot high. Groningen, on the other hand, continued to have few chances. Marco Rente’s volley went just wide. The biggest opportunity for the people of Velsen was Zakaria Eddahchouri. However, the top scorer (nine goals) headed wide of the goal via goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus.
Koeman kept Telstar going in the remainder of the match after saving on shots from Romano Postema and Wouter Prins. In the counterattack, the visitors did not get further than a shot from Quinten van den Heerik went wide. That left the score 2-0 in Groningen.
The White Lions will play against FC Dordrecht in Velsen-Zuid next Friday. That match can of course be followed live on NH Radio from 7 p.m. The loss leaves Telstar 18th in the first division.
Telstar setup: Koeman; Seedorf (Kruiver/66), Apau, Oude Kotte (Koswal/74), Bakker, Peat Kruier; Augustijns, Plat (Fatihi/90), Van de Loo (Bouyaghlafen/74); Eddahchouri, Tahiri (Van den Heerik/66)