RKC Waalwijk ended the year 2024 with a draw. Coach Henk Fraser’s team was better than PEC Zwolle on Friday evening, but missed several big opportunities. To make matters worse, the score was 1-2 in the final phase, but thanks to an refereeing blunder, the goal was wrongly disallowed.
RKC Waalwijk made quite an impression in the first half hour in its own Mandemakers Stadium. After a spectacular light and sound show before kick-off, it was the Waalwijkers who put pressure on the opponent from Zwolle. Mohammed Ihattaren was the most dangerous man for the home team. The midfielder showed several times that he can play football very well.
Ihattaren was responsible for the opening goal after ten minutes. His corner landed perfectly on the head of striker Oskar Zawada, who headed it home. After half an hour, the technically gifted midfielder was close to making it 2-0. His free kick was tapped into the top corner by goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar.
Stupid foul
PEC Zwolle could do little to counteract this, but did level the score five minutes before half-time. Midfielder Godfried Roemeratoe pushed over opponent Filip Krastev in his own sixteen-meter area and referee Edwin van de Graaf pointed to the spot. Dylan Vente shot the ball hard behind goalkeeper Joey Kesting, who replaced Jeroen Houwen, who was injured during the warm-up.
Opportunities RKC Waalwijk
In the second half we had to wait for another Waalwijk lead. Substitute Denilho Cleonise created a danger with his speed, although he lacked the overview to reach Zawada from a promising position. The same Zawada received the ball from Ihattaren shortly afterwards, but Schendelaar kept his team going. On the other hand, it was goalkeeper Kesting who cleverly intervened in a rare Zwolle opportunity.
The supporters of RKC Waalwijk fully supported their team and thought they could cheer after 80 minutes. However, Kevin Felida and Zawada failed to take advantage of opportunities presented to them. A penalty was called for an alleged handball, but the referee allowed play to continue. Substitute Michiel Kramer also failed to score with a fiery shot.
Disallowed goal
Completely against the odds, it was PEC Zwolle that drew 1-2 in the ninetieth minute. Nick Fichtinger’s goal was disallowed for offside on the advice of the VAR (Jannick van der Laar from Cuijk). A big mistake by the referee, as offside from a corner is not possible. This was to the relief of the home team, who almost completely lost their hands in a match with great chances.
Due to the draw, RKC Waalwijk ends the year seventeenth in the Eredivisie. In the second half of the competition, the club will face the tough challenge of trying to remain active at the highest level.