Perhaps the day of truth. Will we make it to the championship pool or will we have to face another competitor next week. Groningen would also like to compete for the title. And under a radiant autumn sun we begin. The first half was one of exploration and few chances. One for us and also Groningen could hardly create any chances. So we went into the break with a black-and-white score. After the break we have to change the way we play, as the coach said during the break. The opening lies on the wings. Shortly after the start of the second half, Sam passes to Dirk who surprises his birthday mother with a great present and a goal. 0 - 1. Now Groningen has to do something. So we have to get more space. At times this succeeds. And after an hour of play it is Kenneth who crosses from the left and it is Sam (according to Groningen it was their #4) who shoots the ball past the keeper. 0 - 2. Now to counter home for sure. But Groningen thinks differently about that. They put more pressure and we start making little mistakes. Groningen pressured and we rarely got out from under the pressure. Time and again Yannick was the rock in the fire. Sure and sovereign, he took all the balls high or low and pressed them against his chest. Groningen is getting desperate. Nevertheless, after 78 minutes a small inattention causes Groningen to score the tying goal. 1 - 2. They increase the pressure but they are not really dangerous anymore and so we take the three deserved points on the bus to the warmer south. The champion's pool has been reached. Now next week ADO will play for their last chance to also make it into this group and together with NEC and Groningen they will have to fight out who can take the last two places.
So next week let's get to work and the week of presents is over so let's go for it.
Good luck guys and goodbye.
At Guus they were sitting at the bar again: Says one to the other: I'm having such a hard time losing weight. Says the other: you should enter a beauty contest. Why does the first one say? Well then you are first to lose weight.


van Osch, Abels, Loof, Alberto, Kardes, Paal, Berden, Naciri (74th Lamers), Lammers, van der Moot, Bergwijn (71st Groeneveld).