‘A very exciting duel’ is the best way to describe the FC Groningen – RKC Waalwijk match. The Waalwijkers have won 2-3 against FC Groningen in the ninth round of the Eredivisie. Joseph Oosting’s team eventually managed to take the three points back to Waalwijk, after playing with one man for a long time.
After a draw at home against Sparta last week, the Waalwijkers now wanted to take off with the full loot in an away game. RKC has not been able to do that until now. Club top scorer Michiel Kramer was unable to start due to an injury.
Penalties
The Waalwijkers started the game fresh in the first ten minutes and managed to gather a number of opportunities through midfielder Pelle Clement. Nevertheless, it was FC Groningen that took a 1-0 lead in the fourteenth minute due to a correctly awarded penalty kick. Left back Thierry Lutonda was visibly late when Groningen attacker Tomáš Suslov dribbled into the box.
After the utilized penalty kick by tastemaker Ricardo Pepi, Joseph Oosting’s team was pushed back for a while and the Groningers took the upper hand in the match. RKC remained dangerous in the counter.
In the 36th minute, RKC player Roy Kuijpers was tackled in the penalty area after a good through ball, after which RKC was awarded a penalty. Dario van den Buijs equalized the team from Waalwijk via a penalty, shortly before half time. Groningen defender Radinio Balker received a red card from referee Martin van den Kerkhof after the tackle on Kuijpers, which meant that the home team had to continue with 10 men.
gold change
After the break, coach Joseph Oosting converted a number of things into his team’s tactics. He brought winger Thierry Lutonda to the side for attacker Mika Biereth. The team from Waalwijk rattled the gates of the defense of the home club looking for the lead. After an hour of football, substitute Biereth made it 1-2 after good perseverance from Lelieveld.
The game buzzed with chances. And towards the end of the game, the Groningers started well a few more times. Keeper Etienne Vaessen managed to turn a number of balls well. In the 76th minute, however, Vaessen had no answer to Pepi’s effort, so the Waalwijkers had to chase after 2-2.
However, RKC quickly took the lead again. After a wonderful deep pass from Iliass Bel Hassani, Arsenal mercenary Biereth scored his second of the evening for the Waalwijk formation. The striker was a scourge for the defense of the Groningers during his substitute.
The last goal of the Danish Biereth was also the final piece of the match that ends in 2-3 in the Hitachi Capital Mobility stadium.