VVV on after another comeback against Willem II, NAC simple past MVV

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).

VVV’s next opponent is Almere City, which also dealt with FC Eindhoven on Friday after extension. NAC held off MVV (1-4) and now faces Emmen.

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 seemed to be no 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 the team 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.

More surprising, perhaps, was the participation of MVV, working with one of the smallest player budgets in the league.

Partly due to Ruben van Bommel, who contributed to the Maastricht honorary goal with a wonderful assist to Dailon Livramento. Because defensive clumsiness had already led to NAC goals by Elías Ómarsson, Sabir Agougil and Ezechiel Banzuzi.

For a moment it looked like things could still get exciting, when goalkeeper Roy Kortsmit was red-flagged for a foul on Van Bommel, who broke through. However, with striker Jort van der Sande as substitute goalkeeper, the final phase was survived, after which Charles-Jesaja Herrmann determined the final score (1-4).