FC Utrecht hammered by Fortuna Sittard at home; AZ beat FC Twente
FC Utrecht had a disappointing ending to a very successful first half of the season on Sunday when they were beaten 2-5 by Fortuna Sittard in the Galgenwaard. Ron Jans’ team took an early lead through Nick Viergever and then went 2-1 one up via Yoann Cathline, but this was followed by four goals from the away side in the last 20 minutes of the match.
The result means that Utrecht goes into the winter break with a three-point gap to Ajax in the league table. Something that will still be considered a huge overachievement for the club.
Utrecht took the lead in the sixth minute. A corner from Sofian El Karouani was headed on by Miguel Rodriguez to Nick Viergever, who was waiting at the second post to head home.
Fortuna were creating nothing of note, and yet they found themselves level in the 56th minute. A shot was deflected to Luka Tunjic, who side-footed it home to make it 1-1.
It seemed like justice when the home re-took the lead a minute later. David Min knocked the ball across the box to Yoann Cathline, who converted the chance.
Fortuna equalized in the 75th minute. Ivo Pinto was given too much space to put in a cross, and it proved costly as Jasper Dahlhaus smashed a volley via the inside of the post to make it 2-2.
The 2-3 was scored three minutes later. A corner was headed on and missed by Utrecht goalkeeper Vasilias Barkas. This resulted in a goal as Ezequiel Bullaude headed the ball into the net.
It was all too easy for Sittard now as Utrecht had seemingly collapsed. Alessio Da Cruz made it 2-4 when he was given plenty of space to shoot in the 85th minute.
The last few minutes were also noteworthy as Viergever was sent off with a straight red card before Edouard Michut finished off a terrific day for Danny Buijs’ side by scoring the 2-5.
Fortuna will go into the winter break in eighth place which is a very adequate first six months of the season for the club.
In other results, AZ Alkmaar climbed above FC Twente in the table after beating them 1-0. A goal from their striker Troy Parrot gave AZ the victory.
Almere City won at the first attempt since they decided to fire their manager, Hedwiges Maduro, last week. Three second-half goals from Adi Nalic, Joey Jacobs, and Alex Balboa gave the team a 3-0 win over Robin van Persie’s side, SC Heerenveen. This puts Almere three points behind Sparta Rotterdam, who are in the relegation play-off spot.
