Vitesse remains on two points after 32 rounds. The Arnhem formation, already relegated to the first division, lost on Sunday in Stadion Galgenwaard in a game of summer evening football to FC Utrecht. The club from the cathedral city performed well below par, but after the poor 1-0, they have a clear view of a direct ticket to European football.
Vitesse, which has already raised one and a half million euros in the fundraising campaign ‘Voor Geel-Zwart’, also received plenty of support in Utrecht. There were 500 supporters in the away section. Because this was a risk match, that was the maximum. The Arnhem formation was coached for the occasion by Nicky Hofs. He is completing the course to become a coach in professional football.
Airplane with banner
FC Utrecht fans had arranged a plane for Vitesse’s visit. That flew over the Galgenwaard stadium with a banner under the title ‘Vitesse success in the KKD’.
In this way they bullied the Arnhemmers towards the first division. The supporters of the Gelderland club sang in the away section ‘Vitesse Arnhem, champions, next year in the KKD’.
Opportunities Vitesse
There was much less inspiration on the field. Vitesse looked fresher than Utrecht. There were opportunities before half time for Gyan de Regt, Amine Boutrah, Kacper Kozlowski and Paxten Aaronson.
The American should certainly have scored after 36 minutes. But the loanee from Eintracht Frankfurt missed an opportunity.
Goal Utrecht
FC Utrecht then scored. Ron Jans’ formation left a pale impression in the first half, while fifth place with a direct ticket to European football was at stake. But after 48 minutes, Victor Jensen, who had just come on, shot the ball home. Vitesse goalkeeper Eloy Room did not look great at 1-0.
That goal was immediately decisive in the Galgenwaard. Vitesse lacked the power and refinement to get another result from the cathedral city. Utrecht showed nothing more and escaped in the final phase with an opportunity for Melle Meulensteen.
Two more games
The Arnhem club is now two points at the bottom of the Premier League due to the 18-point penalty. There are still two matches left in the competition: away against Heerenveen and at home against Ajax.
Utrecht supporters sought confrontation with Vitesse supporters in the final minutes. Ultimately, this led to skirmishes with law enforcement officers in the home section.
Referee: Dieperink
Yellow cards: Boutrah, Tielemans, Hadj Moussa (Vitesse)
FC Utrecht: Barkas; Ter Avest (85. Vesterlund), Van der Maarel, Viergever, El Karouani; Fraulo (46.Iqbal), Flamingo; Booth (46. Jensen), Toornstra (80. Bozdogan), Boussaid (71. Lidberg); Lammers.
Vitesse: Cream; Arcus, Oroz, Hendriks, Pinto (60. Cornelisse); Aaronson, Tielemans (60. Meulensteen), Kozlowski (87. Domgjoni); De Regt (75. Hadj Moussa), Van Ginkel (75. Buitink), Boutrah.
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Tags: Vitesse misses opportunities Utrecht benefits track European ticket Speed
