Roda JC was unable to achieve a good result against FC Emmen. Visiting the leader of the First Division, the Kerkrade team, which had to play a large part of the game with ten men, lost 2-0.
In a sold out house on De Oude Meerdijk, the home club could have won the championship. Then Roda JC had to win and pursuer FC Volendam would have to drop points. The latter did not happen, the former did. The team of trainer Jurgen Streppel could not put a stop to that.
Early goal
The opening goal came after seven minutes. Davy van den Berg let himself be snatched away, after which Jasin Assehnoun scored the 1-0. After about ten minutes, Roda was able to get out of the Emmen pressure somewhat. Still, the frontrunner remained dangerous. Emmen striker Reda Kharchouch had two good opportunities in a row, Roda goalkeeper Rody de Boer prevented greater damage.
The first chance for Roda JC came after almost 20 minutes. Xian Emmers’ bet was half blocked and was then easily caught by Emmen goalkeeper Michael Brouwer.
ten men
Roda started with Van den Berg and Robert Klaasen in midfield. And therefore no Benjamin Bouchouari. Emmen did not let the visitors play their beloved game. There was someone missing from Roda JC to set the rules and what the Kerkrade team showed in the first 45 minutes was poor.
When Kharcouch threatened to become dangerous once again for the home team, Richard Jensen intervened. Referee Pol van Boekel punished that intervention with a red card. Roda was already having a hard time and had to continue with ten men from the 37th minute. Daryl Werker came to fill the position in the defense and Van den Berg had to leave the field for that. In the injury time, Roda JC appealed for a handball, but referee Van Boekel did not agree.
Second half
Emmen immediately had a chance at the start of the 2nd half, but goalkeeper De Boer was able to prevent a bigger deficit. On the other hand there was an opportunity for Dylan Vente, his shot went wide. In the 57th minute an almost comparable situation. Vente in a promising position and with a good shot, but also a great save from the goalkeeper. Still, the ten-man game gave some hope, although most of the ball was left to the home side. Mohamed Amissi and Niek Vossebelt alternated Xian Emmers and Bryan Limbombe in the 63rd minute. With a good attack by Roda with Amissi as the end station, the ball was not hit full, so the chance was lost.
Clap
The ten men had more to contribute after the break than in the first 45 minutes. A cheeky Roda created a few dangerous moments in front of the Emmen goal, without result. In the 77th minute, a counterattack made it 2-0. With that, the game was over. Streppel made another change, but his team could no longer get a grip on the PhD student.
In the period standings, Almere City has passed FC Roda JC and is now second behind list leader FC Emmen. With two games left, Almere has one point more (18 at 17).