Willem II drew 1-1 against Feyenoord for the second time this season. The Rotterdam team were the better team in the first half and rightly went into halftime with a 0-1 lead. The home team was not able to pose much of a threat in terms of football, but a point was still taken, partly based on fighting. Thanks to midfielder Jesse Bosch, who scored beautifully fifteen minutes before the end: 1-1.
The difference between noise and silence was very big before the start of the match against Feyenoord. The supporters in the King Willem II Stadium created a wonderful atmosphere and when the players entered the field, hundreds of scarves went into the air. Just before kick-off there was an impressive minute’s silence to commemorate the Willem II members who died last year.
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In terms of football, Feyenoord, which saw captain David Hancko drop out injured in the warm-up, was the better team in the first half. The Rotterdam team had much more ball possession and had a number of good chances. Goalkeeper Thomas Didillon-Hödl saved a shot from the skilled Feyenoord striker Anis Hadj Moussa after fifteen minutes. Five minutes later, midfielder Antoni Milambo shot just wide and shortly afterwards, striker Santiago Gimenez fell just short of tapping in a cross.
Bicycle kick
After 22 minutes there was the first danger from the home team. Patrick Joosten, who has worked his way up to a starting player after a difficult period at Willem II, hit an opponent’s body with his shot. In the same attack, the ball eventually ended up with Jeremy Bokila, who missed the goal by a few meters with an overhead kick.
Nice goal
It was Feyenoord that went into the dressing rooms with a justified lead. After Calvin Stengs’ goal was initially disallowed due to offside, the goal was scored in extra time of the first half. Igor Paixão shot home a falling ball with a bounce: 0-1.
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In the second half, Didillon-Hödl quickly showed that he was one of the better goalkeepers in the Eredivisie. With a clever reflex he prevented the 0-2 from Paixão again early on. The Tilburgers themselves could hardly become dangerous at the front. There was certainly no lack of effort, but the Rotterdam defense did not budge.
Fifteen minutes before the end, the work was rewarded with the 1-1. Jesse Bosch got the ball in front of his feet in the penalty area and scored beautifully: 1-1. Not the first time that the midfielder has scored beautifully this season.
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In the last fifteen minutes, Willem II coach Peter Maes brought in new attacker Youssuf Sylla in the hope of providing extra fireworks. Feyenoord launched a final offensive, but the Tilburg team won the point. That draw was rewarded by the audience with thunderous applause.