They fought tooth and nail and the result was impressive. The indoor football players of Scagha ’66, who were recently promoted, held national champion FC Eindhoven to a 1-1 draw in Schagen. The ‘small club from the polder’ thus performed a stunt against the team in which several Dutch internationals play.
The contrast could not be greater between Scagha and FC Eindhoven. With the North Hollanders, players still pay contributions and family, friends and supporters simply have to buy a ticket. “We do have a bus for away matches,” says Kaleveld, who also mentions that entrance tickets will also have to be purchased this year due to the high Premier League costs. Nevertheless, Sporthal Groeneweghal is packed during Scagha matches.
Before the match against FC Eindhoven, coach Jaap Kaleveld already received messages asking whether the score would not be too high. “Keep it under five,” some people told him. His team held out for a long time against the star ensemble of FC Eindhoven. After halftime, Robin Schouwvlieger made it 1-0 for Scagha, but just before the end they had to concede the equalizer. “This is a golden point,” says Kaleveld afterwards.
Scagha, which was national champion three times in history, had faded away from indoor football in recent years. Last season the team became champions of the first division and with a selection that has remained virtually intact, a tough start in the Premier League awaits. The Schagenezen lost against Tigers Roermond and VNS United, but the first point was achieved against Eindhoven.
Next Friday, Scagha ’66 will visit Veerhuys in Hoorn.