RKC Waalwijk has successfully made it to the next round of the KNVB Cup, eliminating SC Cambuur with a decisive 4-1 victory at the Mandemakers Stadion. This match, part of the tournament's second round, was notable for several reasons, including the return of familiar faces for both teams and the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs this season.
SC Cambuur entered the game with newfound confidence, having recently climbed to the top five of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie after winning their last two matches. Henk de Jong, their coach, acknowledged the challenge posed by facing RKC Waalwijk, typically seen as the stronger side due to their status as an Eredivisie team. “It’s exciting to compete against a team from the top tier, it’s a great way to measure ourselves,” he stated. Despite the upbeat outlook, Cambuur struggled against RKC’s relentless pressure.
The match began with RKC Waalwijk taking the initiative early on. Just 14 minutes in, Polish striker Oskar Zawada opened the scoring, capitalizing on a clever setup from former Cambuur player Silvester van der Water. With his skills on display, van der Water executed a perfect back-heel pass to Julian Lelieveld, who sent the ball skimming across the six-yard box for Zawada to finish cleanly, putting RKC up 1-0. This was RKC’s first attempt at solidifying their place within the tournament after inconsistent performances throughout the season.
Despite the early setback, Cambuur found their footing about 14 minutes later. An equalizer came from Tony Rölke, who struck the ball hard and true from outside the box, leaving RKC goalkeeper Joey Kesting with little chance to respond. The joy was palpable among the travelling Cambuur supporters, present to cheer their team as they fought valiantly to maintain parity at 1-1 heading to halftime.
After the break, RKC returned to the pitch determined to regain their advantage. Just eight minutes in, van der Water once again played a pivotal role, finding the net himself this time. Striking from the edge of the area, he capitalized on a loose ball, firing it deftly past Reiziger to make the score 2-1. RKC’s dominance was evident, as they began to control the match's pace, forcing Cambuur back as they searched for another goal.
For Cambuur, opportunities were few and far between. Multiple chances went begging, as players struggled to find their finishing touch. Reiziger, the Cambuur goalkeeper, did his best to keep the score respectable, making several important saves. Nonetheless, the pivotal moment occurred around the 73rd minute when RKC extended their lead to 3-1. Yassin Oukili, towering above defenders, scored with a header from a corner, showcasing the set-piece weaknesses Cambuur had struggled with throughout the match.
Cambuur’s attempts to rally were met with firm resistance from RKC, who utilized their squad depth intelligently, even bringing in proven talents to secure the game’s outcome. The final blow came with just minutes remaining, as Faissal Al Mazyani, with a powerful drive from the right flank, guided the ball home to seal the score at 4-1, leaving Cambuur’s hopes dashed.
This defeat means Cambuur can now concentrate fully on their league campaign as they prepare for their upcoming match against Jong AZ, where they’ll hope to capitalize on their recent domestic success. Meanwhile, RKC Waalwijk can take great confidence from this cup victory as they aim to turn their league fortunes around, having managed just one win from their previous sixteen league matches before this positive outing.
Heading forward, RKC is hoping the momentum from this win will translate to their league games, as every point matters now more than ever. Coach Henk Fraser expressed relief and satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “This win is just what we needed. It builds our confidence as we head back to league play, where we need to start picking up points.”
With the KNVB Cup still offering glimmers of hope, both teams will need to reassess and wheel back their strategies as they venture back to their respective leagues. Such cup matches often become defining moments for clubs, challenging their mental and physical resolve. There’s no doubt – the competition is fierce, but the thrill of the cup offers pathways for redemption, and for RKC Waalwijk, this night was theirs.
