Willem II's hopes of avoiding relegation took a significant blow on May 9, 2025, as they suffered a 1-2 defeat against Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie. This loss means that Willem II can no longer escape the playoffs, with their position in the league now precariously close to direct relegation.
With just two matches remaining in the season, Willem II finds itself seven points adrift of NAC Breda, who currently sit in fifteenth place and have secured their safety for next season. The Tilburg side, now under the guidance of their sixth coach in as many matches, Kristof Aelbrecht, faces an uphill battle as they prepare for the playoffs, where they will compete against six teams from the Eerste Divisie for a chance to remain in the Eredivisie.
Heracles, on the other hand, celebrated a crucial victory that keeps their dreams of European football alive. They now share the same points tally as FC Groningen, who occupy the ninth spot in the league, but have played one game more.
The match got off to a rocky start for Willem II, who found themselves trailing just 16 minutes in. Ivan Mesik opened the scoring for Heracles, converting a free kick from Thomas Bruns in an unusual manner, as the ball deflected off his back and past goalkeeper Thomas Didillon-Hödl.
Willem II struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Heracles creating more opportunities. The visitors could have extended their lead, but Suf Podgoreanu's shot was expertly saved by Didillon-Hödl. Just before halftime, Willem II finally threatened, with Ringo Meerveld dribbling past three defenders, but his shot lacked the power needed to beat Heracles' keeper, Fabian de Keijzer.
After the break, Willem II came out with renewed vigor. Jeremy Bokila scored the equalizer in the 47th minute, marking his hundredth appearance for the club. He headed in a well-placed free kick from Emilio Kehrer, bringing the score to 1-1 and briefly igniting hope among the home supporters.
However, the joy was short-lived. Just as Willem II seemed to gain control of the match, disaster struck. Amine Lachkar committed a reckless foul on Mats Rots inside the penalty area, prompting referee Manschot to point to the spot. Jizz Hornkamp, a former Willem II player, stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, putting Heracles back in the lead.
Despite their best efforts, Willem II failed to create significant chances thereafter. As the match entered injury time, frustration boiled over among the home fans, leading to cups being thrown onto the pitch. This prompted a brief stoppage in play, further disrupting any momentum Willem II could muster.
The defeat leaves Willem II in a precarious position, with the threat of direct relegation looming. Currently, they are five points ahead of Almere City FC, who sit in seventeenth place, and just six points clear of RKC Waalwijk, who are also in contention for the playoffs. As the season draws to a close, every match becomes crucial for the club's survival in the top flight of Dutch football.
For Heracles, the victory is a significant boost as they aim for a playoff spot for European competition. They now sit in tenth place, level on points with FC Groningen, and will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
Willem II's next challenge will be to regroup and focus on the playoffs, where they will need to perform at their best to avoid slipping into the Eerste Divisie. With the stakes higher than ever, the coming weeks will be critical for the Tilburg club as they fight for their place in the Eredivisie.
