Heracles Almelo provided a pretty big surprise last night at the Galgenwaard as Peter Bosz’s side grabbed a late draw from FC Utrecht. Cairo’s last minute goal brought the joy among the visitors’ staff so they returned home with an important point won on the road. Despite a very good start, FC Utrecht lacked concentration as the game was approaching the end. Ton du Chatinier’s side brought an early lead with van Wolfswinkel beating keeper Pasveer in the third minute.
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The game was not a very spectacular one as both sides chased each other but without any result. Chatinier chose to make all the three changes although his side managed to create several occasions at times. Yellow-carded defender van der Maarel was replaced by G. Markiet at the half time, while Lensky and Asare have been replaced by G. Nijholt and B. Maguire. Peter Bosz, too, used all the three options. Thus, he introduced B. Rienstra, M. Vejinovic and E. Cairo with Everton, Quansah and Douglas. Indeed, Hercules’ manager opted for an offensive play unlike Chantineir who chose to make the step backwards.
Utrecht finished the game with two yellow cards for clumsy challenges. Van der Maarel and midfielder Strootman were the two to be shown yellows. But Hercules’ defender Maertens was also given a yellow card just before the break. This was Almelo’s seventh draw of the season, while FC Utrecht were held for the sixth time this season. They won instead ten games so far, while Hercules grabbed just six victories, lying sixth from the bottom in Eredivisie.
FC Utrecht lie eighth but could have gone sixth if they had been paid much more attention. Heracles remain in the danger zone with 25 points in 24 games, Bosz’s side being just six points above the relegation zone. Feyenoord sit just one points behind them, while Vitesse have 22 points. Willem II remain foot of the table with eight points won in 23 games. PSV, by contrast, are top spot with 50 points, the same as FC Twente.
FC Utrecht – Vorm; Nesu, Wuytens, Vorstermans, van der Maarel; Lensky, Streootman, Mertens, Asare, Duplan; van Wolfswinkel. Reserves: T. Oar, L. de Kogel, A. Schut, K. Sinouh, G. Nijholt, G. Markiet, B. Maguire.
Hercules Almelo – Pasveer; Looms, van der Linden, Maertens, Breukers; Quansah, Overtoom, Fledderus; Douglas, Everton, Armeneros.
Eredivisie next fixtures:
Excelsior – Willem II
FC Groningen – Roda JC Kerkrade
Sc Heerenveen – AZ Alkmaar
Vitesse – De Graafschap
ADO Den Haag – Feyenoord
Ajax Amsterdam – VVV-Venlo
FC Twente – NEC
PSV – NAC Breda
