In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, SC Cambuur edged out De Graafschap with a narrow 3-2 victory at the Kooi Stadion in Leeuwarden, putting an end to the visitors' five-match unbeaten streak. The match was crucial for both teams as they vie for direct promotion in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, with Cambuur needing the points to stay in contention for a top spot.
The game kicked off with excitement as Arjen van der Heide opened the scoring for De Graafschap in the 10th minute. The forward found space in the Cambuur defense and unleashed a shot that slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Thijs Jansen, giving the visitors a surprising 1-0 lead. However, the home side quickly responded. Just minutes later, Jeredy Hilterman capitalized on a well-placed pass from Benjamin Pauwels to level the score at 1-1.
As the match progressed, Cambuur demonstrated their attacking prowess, but it was De Graafschap who had the better chances in the first half. The Superboeren, as De Graafschap is known, created a few more opportunities but failed to convert, leaving the score tied at halftime.
After the break, it was Cambuur who struck first. Remco Balk, the team's top scorer, netted his 16th goal of the season in the 52nd minute, putting Cambuur ahead 2-1. The goal was a result of a fast break down the left flank, showcasing the home team's ability to transition quickly from defense to attack. However, the celebration was short-lived as a disruption occurred when beer was thrown onto the pitch, causing a brief stoppage in play.
Despite the setback, De Graafschap continued to push forward. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Reuven Niemeijer headed home an equalizer, making it 2-2. The goal came following a well-placed cross from Ibrahim El Kadiri, who had a significant impact after being brought on as a substitute. The crowd erupted as hope surged for the visiting fans.
However, the drama didn’t end there. Just moments after De Graafschap found their second goal, Cambuur responded decisively. A mistake by goalkeeper Ties Wieggers allowed Michael de Leeuw, who had just entered the game, to score the winner for Cambuur in the 84th minute. Wieggers failed to handle a long-range shot from Pauwels, and De Leeuw was quick to react, slotting the rebound home to secure the victory.
This win was vital for Cambuur, who now sit fourth in the league standings with 58 points from 32 matches. Coach Henk de Jong expressed his relief and satisfaction after the match, stating, "We needed this win to keep our promotion hopes alive, especially after a turbulent week for the team." Cambuur’s performance showed resilience and determination, crucial traits as they aim for a direct promotion spot.
On the other hand, De Graafschap, who had been in good form leading up to this match, will need to regroup quickly. Coach Marinus Dijkhuizen acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic about their upcoming fixtures. "We have to learn from this match and focus on our next game against Roda JC on April 6. We still have a lot to play for this season," he said.
As the season draws to a close, every match becomes increasingly significant, and both teams are well aware of the stakes involved. Cambuur’s victory not only boosts their confidence but also solidifies their position in the race for promotion, while De Graafschap must bounce back and regain their momentum.
In other matches on the same night, Telstar managed to defeat Vitesse 1-0, thanks to a late header from Danny Bakker, while FC Emmen triumphed over MVV with a score of 2-1. FC Eindhoven played to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Helmond Sport, and Excelsior secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Jong FC Utrecht, with Lance Duijvestijn scoring twice.
The excitement of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie continues as teams battle for promotion and playoff spots, making every match a must-watch for fans and supporters alike.
