RKC Waalwijk has a point left over from the home game against FC Utrecht on Saturday evening. For a long time, the team of coach Joseph Oosting seemed to lose. Until Michiel Kramer suddenly headed in the equalizer in injury time.
The points are desperately needed, because a win would bring RKC closer to enforcement. Thanks to various promotions during ticket sales, the stadium was almost full. The atmosphere in Waalwijk was good. What was also good was the start of RKC. The first chance went straight in.
Alexander Buttner prepared a free kick to Michiel Kramer’s head. FC Utrecht goalkeeper Fabian de Keijzer was able to save in the first instance. But in the rebound, Meulensteen was in the right place to head the ball in.
Remarkable decision
It looked like a valid goal for the Waalwijkers. Still, referee Nagtegaal had to go and have a look, according to the VAR. The men in Zeist saw that Kramer would have committed a violation before he could head in. The hit was cancelled. To the dissatisfaction of many spectators, who found it an incomprehensible decision.
Salient detail: the VAR on duty, Sander van der Eijk, also played a leading role in this poster last season. In the final phase he awarded FC Utrecht an unjust penalty, as a result of which RKC lost the game.
Backlog
RKC and Utrecht were not inferior to each other in the opening phase. After twenty minutes the visitors became more dangerous. That resulted in some small chances and moments later a goal in the 34th minute.
The visitors were able to counter quickly after a Waalwijk corner. The ball went to Quinten Timber, who then rocked it rock hard against the ropes. Moments later, the Waalwijkers escaped a larger deficit. Willem Janssen scored, but the FC Utrecht captain was offside. RKC had to work after the break.
Little spectacle
A lot happened in the first half. That was a different story in the second half. There were no great opportunities for both RKC and Utrecht. The visitors came in front of the goal more often, but did not create any great chances. RKC wanted to, but little succeeded. The chances were scarce after the break for the home side.
‘All or nothing’, chanted the fanatical supporters of the Waalwijkers. Joseph Oosting made an offensive change by bringing in Roy Kuijpers for Vurnon Anita. RKC did increase the pressure, but could not get through the Utrecht defence. In the counterpunch there was quite a lot of room for a second Utrecht goal.
One more point
RKC could not complain that FC Utrecht kept them in the game. Because shortly after FC Utrecht wasted a huge chance, Kuijpers was very close to the equalizer. The equalizer came moments later. A knocked-off corner was again presented, to the head of striker Michiel Kramer. He fell into the Utrecht goal via the post.
For example, RKC was still able to take a point from the number seven in the ranking in injury time. It was one of the few chances of the second half. But nobody cared about that in Waalwijk.
This point brings RKC to 28 points. As a result, the team is slightly ahead of the competitors, who will still be in action this weekend.
The away match against PSV awaits next week.