Roda JC has to step back when it comes to direct promotion. Against Young Ajax, the Kerkrade club had to be satisfied with a point after 90 minutes, 2-2.
Roda JC took on a ‘Young’ team for the third time in a week. Where the Kerkrade team won 2-1 against Jong Utrecht, and won 0-1 at Jong AZ, the Amsterdam talents did not go further than a draw.
Cold shower
Roda JC got off to a strong start in front of more than 13,000 spectators (!) in the Parkstad Limburg Stadium. With fierce play, the Young Ajax pressed into the defense. Patrick Pflücke in particular was active in the early stages but his attempts lacked precision. The second corner of the opening phase resulted in danger via a header by Richard Jensen, back into the starting line (with protective mask) but it could be caught by Ajax goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie. However, the first goal fell on the other side. After fifteen minutes, Ünüvar beautifully shot the opening goal behind Roda goalkeeper Rody de Boer, 0-1.
Directly
In the 27th minute, Roda failed to score the equalizing goal. A Roda JC shot on target four times, but the ball was always blocked. This was followed moments later by a free kick by Emmers, which was also blocked. Not through an Amsterdam body but this time through the bar. With that, the club from Kerkrade seemed to have had its best moment in the first half. Roda had a hard time and gasped after the break. Patrick Pflücke’s moment was yet to come. In the first minutes his attempts were unsuccessful, in the 43rd minute a returned ball from Vente was shot hard into the goal by the Roda attacker. The deserved equalizer came just before half-time.
Head Start
At the start of the 2nd half a great opportunity for the home team. A quickly taken free kick was missed by Limbombe for open goal. In the 53rd minute it was hit. Dylan Vente lobed the ball over the Ajax goalkeeper who had come out.
Just before an hour was played, Roda JC again gave too much space to one of the Amsterdam talents. This time, Hlynsson took advantage with a dribble from midfield, after which the Icelander scored 2-2 with his shot from twenty yards.
Remittance
Trainer Jurgen Streppel tried to force something with substitutions. That provided opportunities for substitute Davy van den Berg and Amir Absalem, among others, but Roda did not score a third time. Despite the Kerkraadse pressure and the opportunities it remained 2-2.
Because Volendam won, the margin to second place with 4 games left is eight points.