If you want to become champion in the first division, you definitely have to win a match against Young FC Utrecht, but FC Groningen was not allowed to claim anything on Monday evening in the Galgenwaard. Dick Lukkien and his men lost 1-0.
It was confrontational. The view of the large, empty stands on a warm Monday evening in the Galgenwaard. Names in the opponent’s line-up that mean nothing to the average football follower. The relegation came back to FC Groningen, despite the fact that the northerners were supported against Jong FC Utrecht by a sold-out away section with four hundred loyal and enthusiastic supporters.
Statement
The Groningers’ own supporters were therefore only just in the minority compared to the several hundred Utrecht residents who supported their own promises. The northern fans, many of whom had to take time off (earlier) to be on time for the mandatory bus trip to the Dom city, made a statement halfway through the first half about what they think of playing football against the second choice and the young influx of players. premier league teams. Two unrolled banners conveyed the message ‘Football is for everyone, stop football on Monday evenings’.
At the same time, the northern rank and file had to watch passively as their men adjusted effortlessly to the level of the first division. A zero or four, that should be possible was the prior assessment of many. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the opening phase, FC Groningen still had most of the ball possession, but that did not result in any clear chances. Young FC Utrecht gradually took control as the match progressed and claimed the lead the most.
Fine tuning is missing
They received the talents of trainer and former FC Groningen player Ivar van Dinteren seven minutes before the break. Michael Verrips, who kept the Groningen team upright earlier in the first half with a great save, now had to acknowledge his superior from a corner kick in second instance in striker Mees Rijks, who shot the ball hard against the roof of the goal in the rebound.
FC Groningen did far too little in return. Once again, the Northerners’ attack lacked fine-tuning and there was hardly any movement from the forwards, often leaving the midfielders hopelessly and unsuccessfully searching for an attacking opening. Jorg Schreuders certainly didn’t have his evening. The youngster, who replaced the injured Laros Duarte, suffered careless ball loss a number of times.
Noam Emeran
After trainer Dick Lukkien brought in some fresh blood in the second half with Isak Määttä, Daleho Irandust and Luciano Valente, the northerners got the best chance in the person of Irandust. The Swede was able to shoot freely from the edge of the penalty area, but the shot over the ground that the Swede produced was a prey for FC Utrecht goalkeeper Calvin Staatsie.
In the remainder of the game, the best chances were again for FC Utrecht’s reserves. Substitute Jesse van de Haar had the 2-0 on the slipper, but Verrips prevented an even greater loss of his team in the Galgenwaard. FC Groningen remained mainly impotent offensively. Striker Kevin van Veen again did not appear in the entire piece. In that respect, the imminent arrival of Noam Emeran, a 20-year-old French wing attacker from Manchester United’s academy, is not an unnecessary luxury. FC Groningen thinks it will be able to present the talent, which should provide more depth and supply, as a new purchase later this week. It is to be hoped that the young player turns out to be a real asset who can be there immediately.
Young FC Utrecht-FC Groningen 1-0
Scoring progression: 38. Rijks 1-0.
Yellow card: Määttä (FC Groningen).
Referee: Ruperti.
Spectators: 1030.
Young FC Utrecht: Raatsie; Van Hees, Kooy, Mukeh and Held; Jenner, El Arguioui (73. Van der Wegen) and Leliendal; Akkerman (73. Augustinus-Jensen), Rijks (64. Rohd Schlichting) and Blake (64. Van de Haar).
Fc Groningen: Verrips; Van Gelderen, Rente, Balker and Peersman (59. Määttä); Schreuders (79. Oratmangoen) and Bacuna; Suslov (59. Irandust) and Turay; Postema (59. Valente) and Van Veen.