The reserves of Heracles Almelo played a practice match against the reserves of FC Utrecht on Monday afternoon. The Almelo team won 2-3 at the Domstedelingen training complex. Giandro Sambo and Thomas Bruns gave Heracles Almelo a comfortable lead in the first half. In the second, a beautifully shot free kick from Jordy Bruijn was the icing on the cake.
Heracles Almelo got off to an energetic start in the pouring rain. Barely seven minutes after the referee’s starting signal, the score was already 0-1. Giandro Sambo scored the goal after an attack on three different discs. After good work by Jannes Wieckhoff and Morris de Wilde, Jizz Hornkamp was able to bring the 18-year-old attacker into position and Sambo finished flawlessly.
FC Utrecht had to give chase and the home team came close through Anthony Descotte. After the opening goal, Descotte was put into scoring position twice, but both times Robin Mantel made a good save. The goalkeeper who came over from Helmond Sport this summer kept his goal clean. After fifteen minutes, Heracles Almelo doubled the margin through Thomas Bruns. Academy player Morris de Wilde stole the ball from Can Bozdogan and put the veteran face to face with Michael Brouwer. The captain on duty did not fail and finished sublime: 0-2.
In the first twenty minutes of the game, FC Utrecht had the perfect opportunity to score the tying goal. Taylor Booth turned away from Lorenzo Milani inside the penalty area, after which the Italian defender unfortunately knocked him down. The referee placed the ball on the spot and FC Utrecht striker Descotte was allowed to take the shot, but it was a waste of time. Mantel, who had a good game, turned the tide.
Rain of goals
The second act started with a margin of two in favor of Heracles Almelo. Once again, the Almelo team got off to a good start and had a good chance for the third goal through Giandro Sambo. The third goal finally came after more than an hour of play, when Jordy Bruijn stood behind the ball for a free kick from more than 22 meters. The midfielder curled the ball hard against the ropes and left substitute goalkeeper Tom de Graaff without a chance.
The home team showed resilience and put Heracles Almelo under pressure. Utrecht’s attacking urge was ultimately rewarded with the tying goal. Miguel Rodriguez managed to break through the Almelo defense and put the 1-3 on the scoreboard. FC Utrecht smelled blood and not much later scored a second goal via Noah Ohio. An exciting final phase was in store, but it did not result in another goal. The 2-3 final score therefore remained on the scoreboard.
FC Utrecht – Heracles Almelo: 2-3
7. Giandro Sambo (0-1)
15. Thomas Bruns (0-2)
66. Jordy Bruijn (0-3)
74. Miguel Rodríguez (1-3)
78. Noah Ohio (2-3)
FC Utrecht line-up: Brouwer, Ghaddari, Didden, Mukeh, Finnsson, Booth, Jensen, Bozdogan, Rodriguez, Descotte, Blake
Heracles Almelo line-up: Mantel, Wieckhoff, Leerdam, Hoogma, Milani, De Wilde, Bruijn, Bruns, Talvitie, Hornkamp, Sambo
