FC Groningen made a triumphant return to the Eredivisie on Friday evening. De Pride of the North wins in a sold-out Euroborg with 4-1 against NAC Breda. After an early red card for the opponent, the FC managed to dominate the rest of the match.
92 days after the thrilling promotion match against Roda JC, FC Groningen makes its comeback in the Eredivisie. Coach Dick Lukkien has decided to do this with a number of new names in the starting line-up. Goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen and Finn Stam, who is on loan from AZ, make their official debut for FC and for Tika de Jonge it is his starting debut. Well-known names such as Romano Postema, Thijmen Blokzijl and Wouter Prins are not there tonight due to injuries.
Flying start for FC
Not even ten minutes have been played when the most talked about moment of the first half occurs. Thom van Bergen manages to get the ball from the side to Rui Mendes who is in the sixteen-yard box. The attacker neatly puts the ball aside where Jorg Schreuders catches it. Before Schreuders can do anything with it, he is run over by Enes Mahmutovic. Referee Marc Nagtegaal does not hesitate and immediately shows his red card. The VAR looks at it for a moment, but decides after a few seconds that it is indeed time for Mahmutovic to take a shower. Leandro Bacuna, who has appeared at the kick-off with matching green hair, shoots the subsequent penalty flawlessly.
Against the ten men of NAC Breda, FC Groningen manages to completely control the match, while the away team barely gets a chance. Just before the first half hour, Luciano Valente receives the ball in the sixteen-yard box, where Mendes skillfully controls it and shoots it past goalkeeper Daniel Bielica into the net.
And then it’s not over yet. After half an hour of play, Jorg Schreuders gets the ball via a short corner. The midfielder swings the ball to the head of Marco Rente who heads in the third goal for FC.
More names on the score sheet
The start of the second half is less convincing than the previous 45 minutes. Just after the break, Sven Bouman, who had come on the field for Marvin Peersman and was also making his debut, steps on Elias Mar Omarsson’s foot. The ball is placed on the spot. Vaessen chooses the wrong corner and Dominik Janosek takes advantage of the opportunity.
FC manages to recover and ensures that the game is played on NAC’s half again. Real danger arises when Mendes is allowed to receive the ball in the sixteen-meter. Just like in the first half, he passes the ball to Schreuders. This time the midfielder is allowed to stay where he is and so he coolly shoots the ball past Bielica.
Just before the final whistle, Brynjolfur Willumsson, who has come on the field, seems to be crowning his debut with a goal, but the new FC player just can’t get enough power behind his header. FC Groningen keeps trying until extra time. Laros Duarte, who has replaced Tika de Jonge, and Marco Rente try from a distance, but the score remains unchanged. Nagtegaal blows the whistle and FC wins 4-1 against NAC Breda.
FC Groningen is back
With that, FC Groningen earns three points tonight. In fact, the Pride of the North is currently in first place in the Eredivisie. Although there are Eredivisie matches scheduled elsewhere tomorrow, this is still a moment to enjoy for the true FC supporter. After a year of fighting in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, FC Groningen is back.
The next duel is scheduled for next week. Then FC will travel to Brabant to take on RKC Waalwijk.
