Sensational final phase at De Oude Meerdijk brings FC Emmen the victory over Jong AZ

A frenzied crowd in the South Stand gave the players of FC Emmen a standing ovation after the final whistle had sounded. For a long time, despite numerous chances, the game seemed to be heading for a draw, but well into injury time, Jari Vlak still shot his team to victory with his second goal of the evening. The captain could no longer miss the title ‘Man of the Match’.

Team in shape

Trainer Fred Grim had changed his starting line-up in two places compared to the regional derby with FC Groningen, which had no winner on Monday. The Amsterdammer made way for Mike te Wierik and Lorenzo Burnet. The experienced pair has had health problems in recent weeks. Robin Schouten and Jeff Hardeveld had to settle for a place on the bench.

FC Emmen met a team in good shape with Jong AZ. The last two matches were convincingly won 3-0 by the number nine in the rankings. For example, De Graafschap, FC Emmen’s cup opponent next Tuesday, had to recognize its superiority in the talents from Alkmaar. The team that scored three in Doetinchem, started unchanged in De Oude Meerdijk last night.

So in advance it will be a tough match for FC Emmen. In any case, one thing spoke for the team from Drenthe last night: Young AZ only picked up one point away from home this season. Something that was hardly noticeable immediately after the first whistle. The technically skilled, strong and fast Alkmaarders penetrated dangerously into the Emmer sixteen-meter area several times.

Opening goal

After just 10 minutes, the youthful enthusiasm resulted in the opening goal. While Burnet initially managed to intercept a cross from Mexx Meerdink, the left back then let the ball jump too far from his foot. That gave Jayden Addai the opportunity to run away. The attacker cut out Julius Dirksen quite simply and surprised goalkeeper Jan Hoekstra with a shot into the short corner.

The home crowd went silent. The fear of the third misstep in one week gave way to cheering. It took about fifteen minutes for FC Emmen to recover. What followed was a true siege of the opponent’s target area. There were chances for Ahmed El Messaoudi, Mike te Wierik, Piotr Parzyszek and Desley Ubbink, but a goal was never achieved.

Just before half time the team from Emmen scored. Via Lucas Bernadou, the young Frenchman who took his team by the hand as a conductor in midfield, the ball eventually ended up at the feet of Jari Vlak. The captain did not hesitate and surreptitiously surprised Young AZ goalie Daniël Deen with a shot into the bottom left corner. And that of all with his ‘inferior’ left leg.

Sensational

The tension was back in the match and it would remain that way for a long time after the break. The game went back and forth, but it was FC Emmen that clearly had the better chances. Substitutes Patrick Brouwer and Rui Mendes had the chance to take the lead, but they failed to take the victory. Jari Vlak did do that, causing FC Emmen to rise to fourth place in the rankings.