Willem II again failed to win in the second game of the season. In and against fellow provincial FC Eindhoven, the title favorite lost 2-1. Substitute Pjotr Kestens provided the winning goal for the home team in the last minute.
Willem II did not pass Jong PSV in the opening game last week. The Tilburgers got stuck on a disappointing 1-1 final result. At FC Eindhoven, nobody was disappointed at all after the start of the season. Last season’s number three deservedly won 1-3 against FC Den Bosch. It promised to be a fascinating Brabant get-together in the Jan Louwers Stadium.
The Tricolores, which celebrates its 126th anniversary today, had the perfect opportunity to take the lead in the thirteenth minute. Eindhoven defender Rodrigo Rego lost the ball to Daniel Crowley, causing the red carpet to be rolled out to the Eindhoven goal. Crowley and Jizz Hornkamp went after goalkeeper Nigel Bertrams. Crowley opted for his own success and saw his efforts cleverly turned around by Bertrams.
Cover on the nose
Where Willem II had to take the lead, it received the surprising goal just before the drinking break: Eindhoven had never once appeared in front of the goal of Willem II keeper Joshua Smits. Until the ball got stuck in the goal mouth. The ball bounced off the post at the feet of new striker Evan Rottier. A fluke for Rob Penders’ team.
And that was it for the first half. Crowley’s gigantic miss and Eindhoven’s goal were the only highlights in a match where a lot went wrong. Willem II was not feeling well in the duel and was sloppy in the build-up at many moments.
Willem II had to do it in Eindhoven without the fanatical supporters. The KNVB punished the club because supporters had misbehaved a number of times during away games last season. The lack of fans did not seem to benefit the team. Willem II still struggled to play football in the second half.
Kevin Hofland’s team did take the initiative, but the Tilburg team did not create any opportunities. After a good hour it was even Eindhoven that could double the lead. Naoufal Bannis and Jasper Dahlhaus were close with shots from promising positions.
Crowley is important now
Daniel Crowley, the schlemiel of the first half, made up for his mistake in the 76th minute: The midfielder created the edge of sixteen the space to take out and the ball disappeared into the goal through the bottom of the bar. Willem II was completely back in the game and smelled blood. An exciting final phase was imminent.
FC Eindhoven defended with all their might and lurked on the counter. Rob Penders’ team could live with one point. Willem II naturally went looking for the first victory of the season. The Tilburgers insisted and they put Eindhoven under pressure.
That victory seemed imminent: a flaming shot from captain Pol Llonch splashed from the bottom of the bar onto or over the goal line. A valid hit, most people thought. But the referee and linesman saw otherwise. Eindhoven escaped unscathed.
The decision could be crucial. Because in injury time, not Willem II, but Eindhoven took off with the three points. Substitute Pjort Kestens became the hero of the home team. The former attacker of Willem II’s rival NAC plunged the Tilburgers into mourning. This made the final score 2-1.
Willem II – one of the promotion candidates – is still waiting for the first victory of the season. Eindhoven remains unbeaten and comes on six points from two games.