Mystery of Yilmaz continues, but Fortuna already has a new hero with Gladon
NOS Football–
Watch the summary of Fortuna Sittard – Vitesse
Fortuna Sittard is virtually assured of another year of premier league soccer after a win over Vitesse (2-0). With or without Burak Yilmaz.
The Limburgers’ international superstar was once again missing from Fortuna’s selection. There has been a hint of ambiguity surrounding the Turkish vedette’s future plans for weeks. According to the latest stories, he is working on his trainer’s degree, to become assistant national team coach of his country.
Fortuna’s crowd, meanwhile, already has a new hero. And that is Paul Gladon, who has had to fill a reserve role behind Yilmaz so many times this season.
Vitesse stronger, Fortuna successful
Convincingly, the striker headed in the game’s important opening goal a few minutes after halftime. His running action was excellent, at Ivo Pinto’s measured cross. The entire stadium loudly scanned his name, affectionately calling him “Paultje.
Fortuna fought for what it was worth, against a Vitesse that was actually slightly stronger for a long time. But a peg by Maximilian Wittek sailed hard against the crossbar and Million Manhoef did not handle the space he was given free in front of goalkeeper Ivor Pandur very well.
Watch the reaction of Vitesse coach Phillip Cocu and Fortuna striker Paul Gladon below.
Cocu can’t blame his Vitesse ‘anything’, Gladon ‘happy that Fortuna is bacon buyer’
At Vitesse in goal, Kjell Scherpen stood his ground on the sparse occasions when it was needed. Hard shots from Kristijan Bistrovic and Umaro Embalo were expertly defused by the reserve keeper of Orange, until Gladon’s effort was too powerful for him as well.
Scherpen error of judgement
After tempers ran high with an underdog tussle between Tijjani Noslin and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin and Bartosz Bialek headed the chance for 1-1 straight at Pandur, an estimation error by Scherpen provided the decision.
Embolo tried his luck with a low shot from quite a distance, on which Scherpen was surprised in the short corner. Another setback for Vitesse was the loss of Thomas Buitink, who was rented out to Fortuna, with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Although Vitesse is not yet safe due to this slip, the remaining schedule including home games against relegationists SC Cambuur and FC Groningen does offer the Arnhemmers hope for a good end to the season.
