Yesterday at 10:43 PM • Edited yesterday at 10:53 PM
RKC Waalwijk is one round further in the play-offs. Roda JC seemed to win 0-1 in the Mandemakers Stadium on Friday evening, but Jesper Uneken scored the equalizer in the very last seconds. No goals were scored in extra time, after which the Waalwijkers took better penalties.
The first leg in Kerkrade ended 1-1 on Tuesday evening and the return in Waalwijk had to determine a winner. The first half in the Mandemakers Stadium was not fun for anyone to watch. There seemed to be fear in the legs of both teams and that resulted in no big chances.
After the break, the first decent chance of the match went straight in. The Veghel striker Anthony van den Hurk looked deep, got the ball and outwitted RKC goalkeeper Yanick van Osch with a hard shot: 0-1. An answer from the home team quickly followed, but Jesper Uneken’s effort was tapped wide by goalkeeper Justin Treichel. RKC Waalwijk remained threatening with a number of chances that went just wide of the goal.
On the pole
RKC coach Sander Indische brought Michiel Kramer and Richard van der Venne as fresh forces in the last fifteen minutes. The Waalwijkers often looked for attack and had a huge opportunity to score an equalizer in extra time. Tim van der Leij was in a promising position and shot at the post. The Roda JC supporters were already celebrating, but in the very last seconds it was Uneken who scored the deserved equalizer. Immediately after the 1-1, referee Erwin Blank whistled for the end.
The first half of extra time resembled the first 45 minutes, as virtually nothing happened on the field. Immediately in the second half, Roda JC showed themselves again, but Mitchel Paulissen’s header flew wide of the post. In the remaining minutes it went back and forth, with the visitors again being the most dangerous. Van Osch kept his team on their feet with a great save.
Penalties
Van Osch managed to distinguish himself again in the penalty series. He saved the first and third penalties, Roda JC’s fourth penalty hit the crossbar. RKC Waalwijk used the first three penalties and won the penalty series. The team of coach Sander Indische will face Willem II in the second round of the play-offs. The first leg is in Waalwijk on Tuesday, the return leg is in Tilburg on Saturday.
