NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 16:41
View the summary of Excelsior – Heracles Almelo
It remains exciting in the battle against relegation in the Premier League. After today, three more clubs can end up in sixteenth place, the place in the rankings that condemns clubs to playing play-offs against relegation. These are Heracles Almelo, RKC Waalwijk and Excelsior.
Excelsior is currently in sixteenth place, but has certainly gained confidence. The Rotterdam team won in a mutual match with no less than 4-0 against a lame Heracles Almelo.
RKC Waalwijk took a point at home in the final phase against PEC Zwolle (1-1).
View the summary of RKC Waalwijk – PEC Zwolle
Excelsior can play safely when they visit Feyenoord next week. RKC will then visit champion PSV. Heracles plays at home against Fortuna Sittard and has the best credentials with a lead of three points.
However, Erwin van de Looi’s team will by no means be worry-free. Two years ago, Heracles was also relegated after an insane league finish, where it initially seemed safe.
Then Heracles ended up in sixteenth place with 34 points, after a spectacular advance by Sparta Rotterdam. In the play-offs, Excelsior was too strong for the Almelo team. after which relegation was a fact.
Loom Heracles
Heracles, which is now back to a mediocre competition, seemed to be overcome by the warm weather today. The team appeared lethargic.
Excelsior was much better, but only made it 1-0 in injury time of the first half. Troy Parrot tapped in from close range. The striker had already caused danger several times before.
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The Irish attacker doubled the lead in the 66th minute. He headed in a cross from Couhaib Driouech (2-0).
Immediately after Heracles’ kick-off that followed, Excelsior made it 3-0. Driouech himself was accurate this time. He received the ball well and shot diagonally through the legs of Heracles keeper Michael Brouwer from close range.
Deep into injury time, Driouech scored his second goal (4-0). A goal that could be an important one in view of the goal difference.
PSV target Driouch immediately important upon return: ‘It was difficult to watch’
In the RKC Waalwijk-PEC Zwolle match it took a long time before the first goal was scored. RKC striker David Min was threatening several times, but not effective.
PEC also showed its teeth occasionally, although it was clear that the pressure was off there. The Zwolle supporters confirmed this by singing to referee Bas Nijhuis.
The first goal of the match was scored in the 61st minute. Lennart Thy shot from distance and the ball plopped into the corner via an RKC player’s leg (0-1).
In the final phase, the RKC supporters deployed ‘all or nothing’. Henk Fraser’s team felt supported and made the PEC very difficult. After several opportunities and a red card from PEC player Zico Buurmeester, Richonell Margaret equalized: 1-1.
Despite a late equalizer, Fraser is disappointed: ‘Would have liked more certainty’
