FOOTBALL – It was with hanging and strangling, but afterwards nobody cared at all at Catawiki sports park, ACV’s home base. The ladies of the Asser club took the championship in the Hoofdklasse A with a 3-2 victory over the second team of Wartburgia from Amsterdam.
As a result, the team of trainer Sven Krol will play in the Top class next season: the highest amateur level (the Eredivisie is above that).
And with that, ACV finally relieves HZVV, which for years was the women’s stronghold in northern amateur football. More than 15 years ago, the club from Hoogeveen acted at the highest amateur level (which was then still the main division). “We really hadn’t thought of this prior to this season,” said captain Laura Heling, who went through all classes as a senior. “I started at SVZ in the fifth division and became champion several times and now of the main division. Of course I am proud of that, but I am especially proud of the entire team.”
The start of the game was without a doubt for Wartburgia, who could still avoid the play-offs against relegation if they won. ACV’s goalkeeper Isabella Slump had to work hard within two minutes and she had no chance at the first corner. Shameela Saboerali worked the ball against the ropes: 0-1.
ACV seemed to be stiff from the tension, but quickly equalized. Lisanne Dik sent Amber Bandringa deep and the right striker of ACV made no mistake: 1-1.
Strangely enough, the goal was not liberating for ACV. In fact, the best chances after the equalizer were for the guests. Striker Chevarei Wallerlei in particular was a constant scourge for the Asser defence. But it was not Wallerlei, but Michelle de Heer who beautifully scored the 1-2 after half an hour. On the stroke of half-time, the home team tied the score for the second time. Bad building was mercilessly punished. Amber Bandringa was the principal, Laura Heling took care of the rounding: 2-2.
ACV came out of the dressing room strong and had a good chance to make it 3-2 via Lisanne Dik, but her effort ended up on the crossbar. Shortly afterwards it was hit and again Bandringa played a leading role. Her cross was tapped in by Dionne Keizer, who came over from Vitesse’63 from Koekange last summer.
When Wartburgia had to continue with ten after a second yellow (and thus red card) for substitute Savi Hanselaar, the loot seemed to be in. Seemed, because the margin remained only one goal until injury time. Slump had to go to work one more time in the very last second at a corner. The goalkeeper boxed the ball out of her goal on the line and immediately afterwards referee Smiers whistled for the end and the party could start.
“Next season, the objective will in principle be enforcement,” said ACV trainer Krol. “We keep the team fairly intact and get a few reinforcements, including Merville Vloo (who played for SV Meppen in the past and for the University of Mobile in Alabama and goalkeeper Esmee Laiman. She comes from HS’88 from Hoogezand.