FC Volendam takes precious points against Fortuna and joins mid-table

FC Volendam took further distance from the danger zone with a 2-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard.

Volendam is now six points clear of the relegation line, though with one more game played. Fortuna Sittard remains eleventh with three points more than the Volendammers.

In the unspectacular early stages both teams kept each other in balance, with chances here and there. The biggest was for Tiijani Noslin, who shot over after fumbling by the Volendam defense.

A goal was still scored in the first half, by Volendam captain Carel Eiting, who, like his Fortuna colleague Burak Yilmaz, wore the special OneLove captain’s armband because of the action around the International Day against Racism and Discrimination.

Fortuna made a mistake during the build-up, Walid Ould-Chikh served Eiting and he shot the ball hard and tight against the ropes (1-0).

Also after halftime Fortuna Sittard immediately got a best chance through Noslin, but in the 52nd minute Volendam doubled the lead: a cross from Derry Murkin was missed by Robert Mühren, after which Oskar Buur managed to shoot in after all (2-0). It was the Danish Buur’s first major league goal.

Fortuna – where trainer Julio Velázquez remained very calm along the line after his outburst last week – did not give up yet and went in search of the tying goal. That came after more than an hour: Noslin deftly juggled his way past two Volendam defenders and popped the ball past goalkeeper Filip Stankovic from a difficult angle (2-1).

In the last half hour Fortuna stepped up the pressure and Volendam hardly got in the game. The most striking feat on the home side was the family change of Walid Ould-Chick, who was replaced by his two-year older brother Bilal.

Volendam had its back against the wall in the closing stages, but stayed upright. The visitors from Limburg left home without points.