Willem II gives away 2-0 again, so VVV may now face Almere in semifinals

Willem II can forget about a quick return to the premier league. Also in the return against VVV, a 2-0 lead was squandered, after which the Venlo natives dealt the final blow in extension (2-2).

The next opponent is Almere City, which also dealt with FC Eindhoven on Friday after extension.

Willem II had quickly erased the silly defeat from the outing (3-2, after also having already taken a 2-0 lead). Elton Kabangu and Jesse Bosch soon provided a generous lead. There did not seem to be a problem for the Tilburgers, who might have been able to go into the break with an even bigger margin given the balance of power.

How different was the second half. Fear crept into Reinier Robbemond’s team and Nick Venema struck at the first ball he got at his feet. In extra time, the striker shot just wide.

Thus, Willem II seemed to escape elimination, as they recovered in extra time. As the teams headed for a decisive penalty shootout, Ozcan Yasar suddenly made it 2-2, keeping VVV’s Eredivisie dream alive.

Willem II relegated from the premier league last season. But where fellow relegationists Heracles Almelo and PEC Zwolle quickly found their feet again and eventually promoted as well, in Tilburg it took a bit longer to find the way up. Trainer Kevin Hofland was even fired in the interim.

Under Robbemond, Willem II went into the playoffs with a ten-game unbeaten run, but showed both its best and worst side football-wise.

VVV slowly built a new team after relegation in 2021, with a new coach (Rick Kruys) and technical director (Willem Janssen) this season. Thanks to a seventh place in the league, participation in the playoffs was enforced.