In an exciting match FC Utrecht had the advantage over sc Heerenveen in Stadium Galgenwaard tonight (Sunday). Trainer/coach Erik ten Hag’s team was too strong for sc Heerenveen and climbed toward the fourth place of the Eredivisie.

Playing the ball through sc Heerenveen defender’s legs is a wonderful feeling. Because it was done with style and with precision. Performed by Sofyan Amrabat, and passed to Andreas Ludwig. The midfielder did something that few people had seen coming: he shot the ball into the goal that was defended by Erwin Mulder. The goal keeper was beaten and the ball hit the net. Stadium Galgenwaard was in a state of ecstasy: 1-0.

Simply spectacular
The goal was scored halfway the first half, in which there were not many scoring opportunities in the Domstad. The final match in round 22, it appeared, needed to get underway properly. And after the break it was simply spectacular.

A feast for the eyes
During the second half noteworthy moments were lavishly scattered. Beautiful counters alternated with splendid defensive actions. Such as a sliding tackle by Mark van der Maarel, who managed to take the ball from the Frisian star player Sam Larsson in a last-ditch attempt. There was a fantastic opportunity at the other end of the pitch for Richairo Zivkovic, after a splendid counter in which Ludwig played a part and Giovanni Troupée gave a perfect cross.

Jensen highly effective
There were also two red cards. The first card was for Larsson – two times yellow – approximately ten minutes before the end, and a few minutes later also a red card for goal scorer Ludwig. Also David Jensen presented himself explicitly after the break. The Dane had quite a few balls fired at him by the rock-solid Frisian frontline players and time and again the goalkeeper from Scandinavia had a good answer to the passes and crosses, which he countered when needed.

Teamwork
There was one moment when Jensen was beaten. And that moment was perhaps characteristic for FC Utrecht having the advantage over sc Heerenveen. Because when player X was down and out, there was player Y ready to provide the necessary assistance. In this example it was Ramon Leeuwin who cleared the ball from the line, thus preventing the equaliser.

Fourth place
Thanks to the victory gained in an extremely attractive Stadium Galgenwaard against sc Heerenveen, FC Utrecht rose to the fourth place in the Eredivisie table. Next weekend there is the away match for Ten Hag’s team against the number three: PSV. That match will start at 16:45 hrs on Sunday.

FC Utrecht - sc Heerenveen 1-0 (1-0)
25. Andreas Ludwig 1-0

Yellow cards: Wout Brama, Robin van der Meer, Willem Janssen (all FC Utrecht).

Red cards: 83. Sam Larsson (sc Heerenveen, two times yellow), 87. Andreas Ludwig (FC Utrecht).

Attendance: 18,078.

Referee: Jochem Kamphuis.

Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Giovanni Troupée, Ramon Leeuwin, Willem Janssen, Robin van der Meer; Wout Brama, Sofyan Amrabat (48. Mark van der Maarel), Andreas Ludwig, Nacer Barazite (76. Zakaria Labyad); Richairo Zivkovic, Sébastien Haller.

Line-up sc Heerenveen:
Erwin Mulder; Stefano Marzo, Joost van Aken, Jeremiah St. Juste, Lucas Bijker; Yuki Kobayashi, Martin Ødegaard (90. Pelle van Amersfoort), Morten Thorsby; Arber Zeneli (80. Luciano Slagveer), Reza Ghoochannejhad, Sam Larsson.