FC Groningen - VVV-Venlo

The long journey to Groningen failed to provide any points for VVV-Venlo. In a moderate show of play on a dramatically bad pitch a goal from Groningen’s Tim Matavz was all it took for the three points to stay in the north: 1-0. As well as dropping points, VVV-Venlo also lost Michael Uchebo and Diogo Viana to injuries.

 

Trainer Jan van Dijk had to improvise with the players at his disposal- missing Patrick Paauwe and Sandro Calabro through suspension, and Frank van Kouwen and Ruben Schaken due to injuries. Problems in defence prompted Van Dijk to field just three defenders - Ferry de Regt, Sjors Verdellen and Alexander Nkume. This was also Nkume’s official debut for VVV-Venlo.

 

In the opening stages Michael Uchebo plagued the Groningen defence and had three chances at goal in the first twenty minutes. The first was spoiled by his hesitation, followed by another missed chance a few minutes later. The third attempt seemed most likely to succeed, but his wild kick sailed over the posts.

 

FC Groningen only came into action a couple of times. Daley Blind was the closest to scoring for the home side with a hard shot at the Venlo goal from twenty five metres, but Kevin Begois stylishly nudged the ball over the bar. Top scorer Tim Matavz also saw a chance in the first half. Ten minutes before half time there was more trouble on the horizon for VVV-Venlo. Uchebo fell heavily and cried out in pain. The attacker tried to stand, but quickly realised he couldn’t stand on his ankle. During the half time break the first news was whispered of a broken metatarsal bone.

 

FC Groningen started the second half strongly. Tim Matavz scored and in his enthusiasm to celebrate failed to see that linesman Lapar was holding up his flag.  Referee Wegereef disallowed the goal. Begois was on form some while later cleverly deflecting a volley from Blind to give away a corner. Twenty minutes before time, Begois was finally beaten. A pass from the right was headed by Morten Nordstrand and at first Begois kept the ball out, but the following attempt by Tim Matavz landed squarely in the net: 1-0.

 

After the opening goal VVV-Venlo had quite some opportunities to even the score, but luck failed to materialise. VVV-Venlo had to play out the last ten minutes without Diogo Viana who was forced to leave the pitch with an injured hamstring. Soufiane Dadda took his place in the team. Like many times in recent matches, Van Dijk sent Ferry de Regt forward in the closing minutes. After a scrimmage, Ferry de Regt and Gonzalo García had an open opportunity to score but failed. This was another away defeat for VVV-Venlo. But worse than losing the match, the loss of Michael Uchebo and Diogo Viana is the real headache for Jan van Dijk. Next week’s home game against FC Utrecht will be another puzzle for the VVV-Venlo trainer.

 

 

Sunday 7 March 2010

 

FC GRONINGEN – VVV-VENLO 1-0

Referee: Wegereef. Crowd attendance: 21000. Yellow cards: Mike Zonneveld (FC Groningen), Ken Leemans and Alexander Nkume (VVV-Venlo).

 

Squad FC Groningen:

Brian van Loo; Tom Hiariej, Gibril Sankoh, Andreas Granqvist, Fredrik Stenman (78. Tim Sparv); Thomas Enevoldsen, Daley Blind, Goran Lovre, Mike Zonneveld; Tim Matavz and Morten Nordstrand (74. Nicklas Pedersen).

 

Squad VVV-Venlo:

Kevin Begois; Ferry de Regt, Sjors Verdellen, Alexander Nkume; Michael Timisela, Ken Leemans, Gonzalo García; Diogo Viana (80. Soufiane Dadda), Michael Uchebo (34. Ruud Boijmans, 68. Kevin van Dessel) and Achmed Ahahaoui.