VVV-Venlo has one point left over from the game against leader FC Volendam. On the new turf in a sold out stadium, the two teams drew 0-0.
Before the start of the game, a minute of silence was held in memory of Guus Janssen, who was the victim of senseless violence in Horst on Monday evening.
Also read: VVV-Venlo holds a minute of silence for deceased Guus
Start
VVV-Venlo immediately attacked and after a few minutes that led to a cross from Carl Johansson, who wanted to serve Joeri Schroijen. However, Schroijen got the ball on his knee. Volendam was also active in the initial phase. Daryl van Mieghem put the ball in front of the far post, but Robert Mühren headed wide. Two minutes later, Rayan el Azrak passed Nick Venema, who went after goalkeeper Barry Lauwers. However, the Volendam goalie tapped the ball into a corner.
VVV became increasingly threatening and created opportunities. Joeri Schroijen sent Nick Venema away, but Damon Mirani was faster than Venema. Earlier, van Mieghem had shot the ball over the Venlo goal from the edge of the sixteen.
Opportunities
It rained opportunities for VVV, but Bilal and Walid Ould-Chikh also created danger on the other side. Their attempts on goal were a prey for Van Crooij. Ten minutes before half time, VVV countered. Kees de Boer recaptured the ball after Nick Venema lost the ball, but El Azrak’s shot on goal resulted in no more than a corner.
Shortly before half time, Stan van Dijck got a dot of a chance, but he couldn’t get the ball into the Volendam goal. The score did not change in stoppage time either.
Second half
Immediately after the restart, Volendam had a great opportunity to open the score. Gaetano Pio Oristanio knocked the ball over the VVV defense, after which Robert Mühren hit the post. Moments later, El Azrak had a great opportunity for VVV. He walked into the box and shot the ball from close range at goalkeeper Barry Lauwers.
VVV then had a hard time against the Volendam team. In the 57th minute, Boy Deul committed a foul on Carl Johansson on the edge of the penalty area, after which Rayan El Azrak shot the free kick into the wall.
Inside pole
Halfway through the second half, Joeri Schroijen had the chance to score. He picked up the falling ball, shot, but missed. Immediately afterwards, Francesco Antonucci shot wide on the other side. Fifteen minutes before the end, Bilal Ould-Chikh shot the ball very hard against the post after pinging. Walid Ould-Chikh then kicked the ball over Delano van Crooij’s goal.
Van Crooij saves the furniture
Eight minutes before the end, Nick Venema was close to scoring. However, his shot was too soft and a Volendam defender was able to kick the ball over the back line two meters before the goal line. Two minutes later, Kees de Boer received his second yellow card and VVV had to continue with ten men.
In stoppage time, Delano van Crooij tapped Boy Deul’s header into a corner and saved the furniture.