Players Utrecht and RKC stop playing soccer demonstratively after new incidents
NOS Football–
Another new chapter has been added to the file of suspended matches in professional soccer. Although the match between FC Utrecht and RKC was stopped twice, it was decided to play the game against the rules.
This at the request of Mayor Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht, who for safety reasons wanted the remaining minutes of injury time to be played out.
The soccer players refused to do anything in the remainder of the game. RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen kept the ball demonstratively under foot for the last two minutes, the other players remained still.
Watch below referee Ingmar Oostrom’s explanation of the game’s resumption and captains Michiel Kramer and Nick Viergever’s explanation of why they did not play soccer after that:
So time ticked away and FC Utrecht eventually extended its subscription to the playoffs by a year, as the score was and remained 2-0 in favor of the home club. The last seven times a nacompetition was played, Utrecht participated each time.
Opponent RKC is also still hoping to participate in the barrage matches for European soccer, but sees rival sc Heerenveen a point behind.
And FC Utrecht also closely followed operations in Friesland. And especially that of striker Sydney van Hooijdonk. Because he did not score, Anastasios Douvikas’ opening goal makes him the sole top scorer of the Eredivisie again. That status could earn FC Utrecht some extra money in the event of a transfer of the Greek striker.
Watch the summary of the match below:
Watch the summary of FC Utrecht – RKC Waalwijk
With his seventeen goals, already equaling Sébastien Haller’s best season, Douvikas has gained considerable attention. But with all eyes on him, it took an hour before he finally managed to score.
He had an excellent chance already from 11 meters, after Sander van de Streek was brought down inside the penalty area. But Etienne Vaessen stopped Douvikas’ weak effort, normally a certainty when it comes to penalty kicks.
Douvikas got another great chance with his head, before scoring his third from a deep pass from Jens Toornstra. Just at the right moment he put the ball through Shawn Adewoye’s legs, leaving Vaessen standing on the ground.
Cups mean strike again
In all the revelry, a cup was thrown onto the pitch, after which both teams had to go inside for a moment according to strict protocol. RKC came out of the locker room stronger after the forced break, but Utrecht’s lead was no longer in danger.
Zakaria Labyad, who is gearing up for a key role in the playoffs after a football-free period, tapped in a cleverly taken corner from Can Bozdogan in extra time.
Again a cup was thrown onto the pitch and again Ingmar Oostrom stopped the game, but after discussion it was decided to deviate from protocol.
