VVV-Venlo lost the victory in the final phase in the last home game of the competition. In the well-filled Covebo Stadium De Koel, VVV-Venlo gave away a 2-0 lead. The Venlo goals were scored by Joeri Schroijen and Sven Braken after the break.
Excelsior cleared the deficit by scoring goals in the 83rd minute and in extra time (90+1).
Prior to
After his substitute at Jong Ajax last week, Joep Kluskens started against Excelsior. That worked out reasonably well for the 19-year-old, who made his debut as a right-back. Trainer Jos Luhukay had opted for Nick Venema and Sven Braken in a 4-4-2 formation up front.
Goalie Steijn van Gassel was missing from the Rotterdam formation. The goalkeeper from Ysselsteyn was replaced by the young Pascal Kuiper. He had to make minutes with a view to the play-offs, in which Excelsior cannot rely on the injured former MVV player Bo Geens.
Busy
Both teams put a lot of pressure in the first minutes. This also meant that there was room for rapid changeovers. VVV goalkeeper Delano van Crooij had to make a few saves in the opening phase. VVV also had its opportunities, although great opportunities were not forthcoming. After half an hour the pace dropped and the game slowed down. Excelsior missed top scorer Thijs Dallinga, so the goals had to come from his substitutes Nikolas Agrafiotis or Reuven Niemeijer. But the attackers of both teams were not really put into position in the first 45 minutes and the break was reached 0-0.
Better
The second half had barely started when the ball was in the goal. A good attack from Venlo over a few pieces ended up with Joeri Schroijen. He passed Excelsior goalkeeper Kuiper and scored the 1-0 (49′). That goal immediately kicked the game up a notch. Better football, a disturbance and a lot of effort made it into a lively game. The result is the 2-0 for VVV. A good cross by Simon Janssen was headed in well by Sven Braken (73′). The striker in form jumped higher than defender El Yaakoubi to score his tenth league goal of the season.
Key lock
The tension returned with a few minutes to play. Couhaib Driouech narrowed the Venlo lead in the 83rd minute, 2-1. Luhukay replaced Rayan El Azrak for Joep Munsters and Yahcuroo Roemer replaced Carl Johansson. Earlier, Venema had already been replaced by Mitchell van Rooijen. Still, Excelsior came alongside. The best Rotterdam player, Marouan Azarkan scored the 2-2 equalizer in injury time.
Public
De Koel was again quite full at this last home game with more than 6000 spectators. The public has not abandoned the Venlo team this competition, the other way around, some will have that feeling – at least in terms of results.
VVV remains tenth and will play the away match at Jong Utrecht next Friday.