On Sunday afternoon, De Graafschap faced defeat against FC Volendam, ending the match with a score of 2-1 at the Kras Stadion. The loss was particularly disappointing for De Graafschap, who had briefly held the lead after Mawouna Amevor unintentionally scored an own goal. Despite this early advantage, FC Volendam quickly recovered, showcasing their resilience.
The match started cautiously, with both teams taking time to evaluate each other's strategies. FC Volendam managed to generate some early pressure with a corner, and De Graafschap's Wanya Marcal posed threats on the right flank. Unexpectedly, it was De Graafschap who took the lead when Marcal's cross hit Amevor's chest and ricocheted past the goalkeeper, giving them the advantage.
Despite the initial euphoria, De Graafschap's lead was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, Bilal Ould-Chikh found space and provided a perfect cross to Robert Mühren, who equalized by scoring off the inside of the post. This goal marked the beginning of heightened intensity as both teams sought to assert dominance.
De Graafschap attempted to regain control with multiple opportunities. Jesse van de Haar had another chance but shot straight at Volendam's goalkeeper, Kayne van Oevelen. Meanwhile, FC Volendam's Mühren continued to make his presence felt, trying to capitalize on every opening. A free kick by Rio Hillen narrowly missed the target shortly before half-time, reflecting the competitive nature of the match.
The second half saw FC Volendam emerge more aggressively, pushing De Graafschap back. They nearly found themselves on top when Mühren's cross hit the crossbar, serving as the warning shot for De Graafschap. Van de Haar again came close to scoring but couldn't find the net, causing frustration among the visiting supporters.
Goalkeeper Joshua Smits stood firm for De Graafschap, executing several impressive saves to keep his team level, including one against Mühren which showcased his skills. And yet, FC Volendam's pressure proved too much.
Five minutes before the final whistle, Mühren netted his second goal of the match, decisively bringing the score to 2-1. Breaking through the defense, he calmly slotted the ball past Smits, leaving De Graafschap scrambling for one last chance to equalize.
Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, De Graafschap could not find the back of the net again, sealing their fate and concluding the match with disappointment. Their loss against FC Volendam sets them eight points behind their rivals as they head toward the new year, with their next fixture against ADO Den Haag on January 10th at De Vijverberg.
