FC Groningen takes bad turn again, Willems gets hit by own fan

FC Groningen remains in dire straits after the lost northern derby against sc Heerenveen: 0-2. Before and after the match, however, it was mainly about Dick Lukkien and, once again, misbehaving fans.

Frustrations in the stands increased during the match, not for the first time this season, leading to unrest in the closing stages. Groningen players, with Jetro Willems in the lead, tried to calm things down, but were not heard. Willems was even slapped by a fan. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük then decided to call a cooling-off period.

Willems receives a slap from his own supporter, after which FC Groningen-sc Heerenveen is halted:

The northern derby had been given an extra charge beforehand with the leaked news that Lukkien will be trainer of FC Groningen next season. Lukkien is currently in charge of FC Emmen, which also has relegation worries.

There was therefore dissatisfaction from the Groningen side about the timing of the news. Managing director Wouter Gudde had no choice but to confirm Lukkien’s arrival, but expressed the suspicion that a deliberate leak had occurred at Emmen, despite agreements made.

Groningen supporters had shown their best side at the beginning of the match:

In the coming days, Groningen will come up with more news, including in the technical area, where a vacancy has arisen following the forced departure of Mark-Jan Fledderus in early February.

Regardless, for the number penultimate team, there was a lot at stake against Heerenveen. With now coach Dennis van der Ree, who took over from the sacked Frank Wormuth earlier this season, still at the helm. His future is still unclear.

Groningen started the game energetically and were unlucky that Elvis Manu hit the underside of the crossbar after ten minutes. Moments later, 18-year-old Thijmen Blokzijl, who extended his contract this week, popped just wide.

Then it was the turn of the Frisians, where Sydney van Hooijdonk regained confidence in the striker. That paid off, as he scored the opening goal after almost half an hour.

Groningen goalkeeper Michael Verrips failed to control an effort by Osame Sahraoui, after which Van Hooijdonk struck from the rebound (0-1). Just before halftime, the rebound was again for Van Hooijdonk (0-2), after a shot by Pelle van Amersfoort off the turn.

The second half produced hardly anything for Groningen, which seemed numbly beaten. Heerenveen thought it was all fine and easily held their ground. A shot by Willems in the closing stages went high over and that was exemplary.

After things went all wrong ten minutes before time and the match was stopped and resumed, Heerenveen pulled the three points across the line.

As a result, the Frisians remain firmly in the middle of the table. Groningen remains a problem child and travels to Sittard after the international period for a confrontation with Fortuna.