Excelsior Rotterdam recorded a very convincing 4-0 victory over Heracles Almelo on its own field. Yet after the final whistle there was a depressed mood in the sold-out Van Donge & De Roo Stadium. That had everything to do with RKC Waalwijk’s late equalizer against PEC Zwolle.
Goal difference
The Excelsior bench was in contact with someone in Waalwijk, but they did not need that line to know that the Brabanders had scored. From one moment to the next, the atmospheric Van Donge & De Roo Stadium fell completely silent. The equalizer in Waalwijk meant that despite the big win, Excelsior remains in 16th place thanks to a better goal difference from RKC Waalwijk.
Last round of play
This means that the decision will be made in the last round of play. Excelsior then travels to the other side of the Maas to face Feyenoord. If the Kralingers perform as well as they did against Heracles Almelo, the necessary point may be achieved there. Excelsior still has to look at RKC Waalwijk, which is playing against PSV in Eindhoven at the same time. In short, it promises to be a very exciting final round of play.
Liberating 1-0
Marinus Dijkhuizen didn’t have to worry for a second against Heracles Almelo. Although it took a long time before Excelsior managed to express their dominance in hits. Just before half time it was Troy Parrott who finally scored the liberating 1-0. It was already the Irishman’s ninth goal and after half-time he would add his tenth. Before the 1-0 fell, Excelsior had already had the necessary opportunities.
Couhaib Driouech
In the second half, Lazaros Lamprou quickly had a great chance to make it 2-0, while Lance Duijvestijn was also close. After an hour of play, Couhaib Driouech made his return and immediately showed that he was back. In the 66th minute it became 2-0. Parrott scored his second of the afternoon on a pass from Driouech. Two minutes later it became 3-0 and this time Couhaib Driouech scored it himself! Shortly before the end it also became 4-0 through Driouech again, who so emphatically gave his calling card.
Droomscenario
A dream scenario seemed to be happening in the atmospheric stadium. When RKC Waalwijk made it 1-1, that scenario fell apart. While Arthur Zagré was presented with the trophy as Pro Excelsior player of the year on behalf of the supporters, everyone realized that the decision will now be made next week. Can we still play it safe or are we condemned to playing play-offs? Marinus Dijkhuizen remains optimistic in any case: “If it doesn’t work out next week, we will go into the play-offs with confidence.”
