Helmond Sport unexpectedly took three points from Leeuwarden on Sunday after the first match in the new Cage Stadium from Cambuur. Helmond Sport was the better team, especially in the first half, and could count on the new signings Halhal, Van Himbeeck and Ignason. This is Helmond sent our new reporter Valentijn Valentijn to Leeuwarden.
The first two newcomers, Halhal and Axl van Himbeeck, started in the starting line-up in the places of Van Hove and El Arnouki. After ten minutes, Anthony van de Hurk was in scoring position for the first time. But he did this from offside. Three minutes later, the home team of trainer Henk de Jong was dangerous for the first time. A cross from the right was just not slid in by Milan Smit. Cambuur seemed to be preparing to spoil the crowd in the first match in its new stadium.
But Helmond Sport then slowly took over the game. New signing Halhal reached Van den Hurk with a pass from the back, but he couldn’t get the ball under control. A few minutes later, the other signing Van Himbeeck made a mistake. The Belgian hesitated too long and lost the ball. Van der Steen tapped the ball just wide of the right side of the post. And that wouldn’t be the last time on Sunday afternoon.
Sits scores first goal
Where the home team tried to score the opening goal in front of the 13,500 supporters in their new home, it was Dario Sits who thought differently. The Latvian, on loan from Parma, easily slid the ball under goalkeeper Thijs Jansen after good work by Anthony vd Hurk; 0-1.
Cambuur came close to equalising shortly afterwards. Sturla Ottesen headed just over from a free kick. Ten minutes later, Fedde de Jong came close to equalising from the left. But his shot went straight at Van der Steen. Not much happened before half-time, except for two yellow cards, one on each side. Henk de Jong intervened at half-time and made three substitutions to turn this special match around for the Frisians. Kevin Hofland kept it to one substitution and brought in Bryan van Hove for Axl Van Himbeeck, who otherwise had a decent debut.
Cambuur increases pressure
The home team pushed Helmond Sport all the way back into their own penalty area. And it was Wouter Van der Steen who showed his class again. He saved twice from close range on attempts by Sylvester van de Water and Nicky Souren. Helmond Sport had a hard time in attack this afternoon. And early in the second half they had one of their last chances. Dario Sits turned well, but was excellently cleared of the ball. A little later the Latvian was given his first yellow card, something that would have an unpleasant sequel later on.
After an hour of play, Kevin Hofland had to make a forced substitution. Anthony van de Hurk had to leave the field injured, which allowed Helgi Ignason to make his debut. This substitution was barely half a minute old when Cambuur player Fedde de Jong hit the post out of reach of vd Steen. The equalizer was in the air and the home crowd sat down for it.
Henk de Jong made his fourth substitution and the home team went full attack. However, the Helmond defense miraculously remained upright. Helmond Sport left more and more spaces open on the field. The home team made good use of that. It gave the home team several chances. However, Helmond Sport held out thanks to a solid defense, in which Halhal in particular distinguished itself positively.
Heroic role of Van der Steen
From a Cambuur corner, the ball unfortunately hit the arm of a Helmond Sport defender after a scrimmage. Referee Lindhout resolutely pointed to the spot. Milan Smit stepped up to the ball but ‘Woody’ made a great save. However, Honig thought he left the line too early and so the penalty had to be retaken. But Van der Steen also saved the second attempt, with which he kept his team upright in the difficult second half for Helmond Sport.
Five minutes after the penalties it was almost equal when substitute Van de Water just missed the ball at the far post. By now it could have been 4-1, but the defense of the Helmond team held on as best it could. Five minutes before time Helmond Sport crossed the halfway line but it did not get further than a blocked shot.
Rode Sits
Kevin Hofland made his last substitution and brought on Essakati for the tired Daneels. Referee Lindhout added no less than seven minutes and there was still plenty to happen. First Cambuur coach Henk de Jong was given a yellow card and then Helmond Sport player Dario Sits received his second yellow card after commenting on the referee. As a result, he will miss next week’s away match against FC Emmen. In the last minute, goalkeeper Thijs Jansen, who had come forward, shot over the goal and it was over. What no one had expected in advance happened anyway; Helmond Sport took three points with its small selection from the far north.
Next week, the Helmonders will have to make another long journey to Emmen. And they will do so without the suspended Dario Sits and perhaps also without the absent Anthony van de Hurk. But hey, this week Streppel pulled three players out of the hat and he can do that again in the coming days.
Line-up:
Van der Steen; Pachonik; Halal; Scholz; Ostrc; Seats; Daniels; Mallahi; Absalem; Vd Hurk; Van Himbeeck. Incidents: Van Hove; Ignason; Essakati.
[Verslag: Valentijn Valentijn: Foto: ‘Door Een Rode Bril’]
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