VENLO (ANP) - FC Volendam narrowly avoided losing points in the Eerste Divisie by triumphing over VVV-Venlo with a final score of 3-1. The match, held at VVV's home ground, De Koel, witnessed the visitors rallying to secure the win after trailing late in the game.
Entering the 77th minute, VVV-Venlo took the lead through substitute Bjorn van Zijl, who scored off an excellent setup by Navarone Foor. It marked Van Zijl's first goal for the club, igniting hopes of pulling off an upset against the league leaders. "Wij hebben een moedig VVV gezien, maar konden uiteindelijk niet verrassen tegen de koploper Volendam," commented John Lammers, the manager of VVV-Venlo, reflecting on his team's spirited performance.
Shortly after losing its lead, FC Volendam responded rapidly. Xavier Mbuyamba equalized just three minutes later, tapping in from close range after maneuvering around defenders. This swift reaction underscored Volendam's determination not to leave empty-handed.
Five minutes from time, Milan de Haan claimed the lead for Volendam with a stunning long-range shot, showcasing the kind of skill and confidence needed at pivotal moments. "Het was een grote beloning voor ons spel, vooral na een moeizame start," noted one Volendam player, highlighting their turnaround.
With VVV pushing hard to regain control, they took risks, but this opened the door for Volendam to capitalize. Following the VVV goalkeeper’s ructions and their desperate attempts to chase the game, Robert Mühren sealed the victory by scoring from close range during stoppage time, making the final score 3-1.
The first half was largely unremarkable, with both teams struggling to convert chances. Volendam had one goal disallowed for offside just two minutes after kickoff, setting the tone for the tight contest. "We hebben het goed gedaan, vooral na de eerste helft waar we het moeilijk hadden," mentioned one player, acknowledging the frustration of not finding their rhythm earlier.
Despite VVV’s commendable efforts, including opportunities from Lasse Wehmeyer and Layee Kromah, they could not finish their chances and faced defensive challenges. Throughout the first half, VVV managed to create double the chances compared to Volendam, but with no goals to show for it, the teams entered halftime at 0-0.
After halftime, the encounter picked up pace; VVV looked more threatening, and the substitutions for VVV, including Brahim Darri and Navarone Foor, injected renewed vigor. The second period featured increased action, with both teams having shots on goal, but it was Van Zijl's breakthrough moment when he capitalized on the defender's lapse.
Yet with Volendam resilient and refusing to give up, they proved their quality late on, demonstrating composure and execution. Lammers faced difficulties with injuries, having twelve players sidelined going forward, and had to rely on younger talents as Zidane Taylan made his debut between the posts.
After this result, FC Volendam extends its lead at the top of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie to six points over second-place Excelsior, who also won on the same day. The victory not only affirms Volendam's title credentials but also raises concerns for VVV, who must regroup before their upcoming match against Cambuur.
With this match reflecting the highs and lows of the football season, fans will certainly be talking about the late thrillers and the continuing battles for position as both teams push on with their respective campaigns. FC Volendam remains the team to beat, but VVV-Venlo showed they could stand up to the challenge, albeit falling short on the day.