De Graafschap is, at least for a few days, the leader of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The Achterhoekse Trots is there partly because of the 2-0 victory over FC Eindhoven on Friday evening.
Superior party from the start
De Graafschap showed themselves to be the superior team from the start of the match on Friday evening. With good football at times, they put the Eindhoven guests against the wall. In addition to good football, the Achterhoek Pride also showed fierceness and perseverance. After a few dangerous situations in front of the goal of the guests from the City of Light, it took until the 24th minute before Tristan van Gilst opened the score. Van Gilst, playing as a midfielder, did so in a wonderful way. After cutting out his man, he shot beautifully with his right foot from over 20 meters.
After that, De Graafschap dropped back a bit, but that only led to one dangerous moment. Goalkeeper Joshua Smits came out of his goal and tried to shoot the ball hard. However, he hit central defender Rowan Besselink hard and saw the ball just go wide of his own goal. FC Eindhoven didn’t get much further.
Same old cloth, same old suit
In the second half it was actually a similar story. De Graafschap was the superior team and had the most chances, FC Eindhoven occasionally came out dangerously. Nevertheless, De Graafschap remained the better team and again showed beautiful football at times. However, it took until the 84th minute before the Achterhoek Pride expressed this in the score. Then it was substitute Mimoun Mahi who, with a perfect assist, enabled another substitute, Philip Brittijn, to head the 2-0 into the net.
The victory puts De Graafschap, for the time being, at the top of the Kitchen Champion Division. Next Friday, De Graafschap will defend that position when Helmond Sport visits De Vijverberg.
De Graafschap – FC Eindhoven: 2-0
Goalscorers: 1-0 Tristan van Gilst (24th), 2-0 Philip Brittijn (84th).
Referee: Martin van den Kerkhof | Spectators: 10.063
Line-up De Graafschap: Smits; Fortes (C), Besselink, Hillen, Schoppema; Warmerdam, Van Gilst (62. Mahi), Najah (62. Brittijn);
FC Eindhoven line-up: Brondeel; Tyrese Simons, Limouri (83. Verheij), Seedorf, Douglas; Dorenbosch, Van Schuppen, Sven Simons (70. El Bouchataoui);
Yellow cards De Graafschap: van Gilst, Warmerdam
Yellow cards FC Eindhoven: Douglas
Red cards De Graafschap: –
Red cards FC Eindhoven: –
