Friday May 3, 2024 at 10:01 PM
FC Groningen drew the penultimate competition match in the Kitchen Champion Division in injury time against Telstar on Friday evening. In Velsen-Zuid it was 1-1 after a halftime score of 1-0 in the 711 Stadium. Thom van Bergen headed the score 1-1 well into injury time. Due to Roda JC’s win over SC Cambuur, FC Groningen now has to beat the Limburg competitor in Euroborg on the very last matchday to secure direct promotion.
FC Groningen was also supported by a full away section in Velsen-Zuid. The maximum allowed 350 FC supporters had found their way to North Holland. After 28 official matches in a row, head coach Dick Lukkien was forced to make a change to his starting team with the four “rascals at the front”, as the young Training Quartet Postema, Van Bergen, Schreuders and Valente are affectionately called. Luciano Valente was injured last week in the promotion cracker against Willem II and was not available against Telstar. His position was taken by Rui Mendes, who started from the right in Velsen-Zuid. Jorg Schreuders moved to the left flank. Furthermore, Lukkien did not change anything in his starting team compared to the last matches.
First half
Telstar took a lead within a minute from the kick-off. The home team came through on Groningen’s right side and striker Eddahchouri was able to score freely in front of the goal, 1-0. Even after that, Telstar was the most dangerous team before half time. Schreuders threw himself into a close range effort to prevent a second goal from the North Hollanders.
FC Groningen mainly had to rely on corner kicks. Lukkien’s team did not create any clear-cut opportunities.
Second half
After the break, FC Groningen started more energetically. Goalkeeper Ronald Koeman had to roll up his sleeves twice within five minutes. First on a bet from Schreuders and then stretched towards the corner on a free kick from Laros Duarte. FC Groningen then continued to push and put pressure on Telstar. It led to dangerous situations, but not to goals. Telstar was and remained dangerous on the counter. Marco Rente was important with a tackle at the last minute and the home team played some fast attacks carelessly.
Fifteen minutes before the end, Lukkien made a triple substitution, but it did not immediately result in the desired result, namely the equalizer.
Until the game’s stoppage time arrived. Nils Eggens was brought in as an extra battering ram and FC Groningen had no less than seven minutes to force a goal. Meanwhile, the game in Kerkrade had already ended 2-0 for Roda JC and the Pride of the North knew that it absolutely needed a goal to stay in the race for direct promotion.
The Groningen team put great pressure on the Telstar defense and a high cross from substitute Tika de Jonge sailed towards the head of Thom van Bergen with two minutes to play. The striker sent the ball towards the corner and headed home, 1-1! Groningen succumbed in Velsen-Zuid, but thanks to the young striker, they can prepare for an absolute climax next week in Euroborg. The gap to next week’s opponent Roda JC Kerkrade is three points, but FC Groningen has a better goal difference. A win against the Limburgers this Friday – in a sold-out stadium – means direct promotion. Roda logically needs a draw to go to the Eredivisie.
Player of the Year
Jorg Schreuders has been voted Player of the Year 2024 by the supporters. The attacking midfielder can no longer be traced by teammates in the rankings. Nevertheless, you can still vote for the King of the Match in the away match against Telstar. Cast your vote via this link: https://www.fcgroningen.nl/koning.
