Roda JC did not benefit from the draw between competitors Willem II and FC Groningen. The number two of the Kitchen Champion Division did not get further than a 1-1 draw against Jong Ajax, meaning the gap with Willem II is still three points. Groningen is third with one point less than Roda. After tonight, a place in the play-offs is far out of sight for MVV and VVV-Venlo. VVV-Venlo lost 2-3 to FC Den Bosch and MVV was hit hard by De Graafschap: 3-0.
Roda received the opening goal from the Ajax players in the ninth minute. At De Toekomst, Olaf Gorter first lost the ball just before his own goal and shortly afterwards goalkeeper Charlier Setford went wrong. Vaclev Sejk kept up the pressure and was able to slot into an empty goal. The Limburgers could not enjoy the lead for long. Silvano Vos brilliantly shot Ajax wide of Roda. After some tapping back and forth on the edge of the sixteen-meter area, Vos’ shot came from an unexpected angle for goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie. The midfielder worked the ball hard and helped his team to a point.
Tension in Leeuwarden
The meeting between SC Cambuur and FC Dordrecht produced a very entertaining match. Cambuur took the lead three times, but thanks to goals from Ilias Sebaoui, Shiloh ‘t Zand and Adrian Segecic, Dordrecht still managed to draw (3-3). For the Frisians, Roberts Uldriķis was accurate twice and Milan Smit scored his nineteenth goal of the season in Leeuwarden.
Den Bosch comes out on top
When visiting VVV-Venlo, FC Den Bosch wanted to continue their unbeaten series of three games. But for the Limburgers it was also a crucial match to continue to have hope for the play-offs. Against all odds, it was Den Bosch that scored first. After good pressing work by Jaron Vicario, he won the ball. The midfielder remained cool and scored the 0-1 just before the half-time signal.
After the break, things were put in order by VVV-Venlo. Levi Smans made a devastating strike from the edge of the penalty area with his right hand, after which the ball ended up beautifully in the intersection. After a goal by M’hand Salah-Eddine, Venlo came back from behind through Michalis Kosidis, but in the final phase it was Kacper Kostorz who helped his team to victory. It is the fourth defeat in a row for the club from Venlo, which means that participation in the play-offs is at risk.
De Graafschap too strong for MVV
De Graafschap was able to play against MVV without pressure. The Superboeren had already secured participation in the play-offs for a place in the Eredivisie last week. For the team from Maastricht, on the other hand, a victory was extra important with a view to the play-offs. Yet there was little fighting spirit in MVV’s game in the first half. On the other hand, De Graafschap did not play convincingly either, but still took the lead after a failed chance from Maas Willemsen. Başar Önal gave a tailor-made cross to Jeffry Fortes, who scored neatly via his head.
After the opening goal, the barrier was lifted and De Graafschap was able to play football freely. Anis Yadir and Tristan van Gilst helped the Superboeren to a big victory with their goal.
