FC Utrecht earned three points. Trainer/coach Erik ten Hag’s team beat Go Ahead Eagles in the Adelaarshorst. In Deventer one goal was enough to decide the match: 0-1.
He came through over the left wing, saw that it was crowded in the box and thus Andreas Ludwig decide to put the ball in. The ball reached Gyrano Kerk and his guard Xandro Schenk. The latter seemed to give the ball a decisive push. A push that beat goalkeeper Theo Zwarthoed. The ball went in and FC Utrecht was in the lead after half an hour of football: 0-1.
Rise again
Nevertheless it was a tough game in Overijssel. In the atmospheric Adelaarshorst Go Ahead Eagles were expected to fight for their place in the Eredivisie, amongst others because the team had strengthened themselves during the winter break. And FC Utrecht? Many seemed to wonder whether the team would be able to rise again after two defeats in four days earlier this week.
Successful
FC Utrecht managed to do so. After all, they won the match and created the most opportunities. However, it was not smooth and swinging. The team, changed in a few positions, managed to prevent the home team, which really needed the points, creating many opportunities.
Another clean sheet
With that in mind Go Ahead Eagles-striker Darren Maatsen did not do his team much good. The substitute was on the pitch for fifteen minutes when he was sent off with a red card after an hour of football. ‘Kicking’, read the judgement of Edwin van de Graaf. With ten men the Eagles did try to start a final offensive, but did not have the strength to push through. Goalkeeper David Jensen noted his fourth clean sheet of the season. And that one goal, an own goal, was therefore sufficient for the intended result: a win.
On to the next one: sc Heerenveen at home!
Sunday 5 February FC Utrecht play again. Then Ten Hag’s team play in Stadium Galgenwaard against sc Heerenveen. The game starts at 16.45. Tickets are on sale already.
Go Ahead Eagles - FC Utrecht 0-1 (0-1)
32. Xandro Schenk (own goal) 0-1
Yellow cards: Rochdi Achenteh (Go Ahead Eagles), Andreas Ludwig, Giovanni Troupée, Gyrano Kerk, Mark van der Maarel, Sébastien Haller (all FC Utrecht).
Red card: 62. Darren Maatsen (Go Ahead Eagles).
Attendance: 9,645.
Referee: Edwin van de Graaf.
Line-up Go Ahead Eagles:
Theo Zwarthoed; Joey Groenbast, Sander Fischer, Xandro Schenk; Sébastien Locigno, Pedro Chirivella Burgos (84. Sam Hendriks), Daniel Crowley (68. Randy Wolters), Rochdi Achenteh; Jarchinio Antonia, Elvis Manu (46. Darren Maatsen), Marcel Ritzmaier.
Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Giovanni Troupée, Mark van der Maarel, Ramon Leeuwin, Robin van der Meer; Wout Brama, Sofyan Amrabat, Andreas Ludwig, Patrick Joosten (58. Yassin Ayoub); Gyrano Kerk (73. Richairo Zivkovic), Sébastien Haller.