Vitesse - VVV-Venlo

Despite the support of the 1200 fans who travelled to the fixture, VVV-Venlo failed to come home with any points. VVV-Venlo outclassed Vitesse in Arnhem, but a number of missed chances sealed their fate. Vitesse was more effective and scored twice.

 

Without Michael Timisela – replaced by Ferry de Regt in defence on the right – VVV-Venlo started with attacking play and created a good chance after three minutes. Ruben Schaken passed Calvin Jong-a-Pin on the right and shot the ball forwards, but Achmed Ahahaoui was unable to score. VVV-Venlo kept up the pressure, playing as if they were on home turf.

 

VVV-Venlo saw some good chances in the rest of the first half. Ken Leemans’ attempt was close, but just missed the goalmouth. Schaken and Keisuke Honda had even better chances. Loss of possession by Vitesse gave Ruben Schaken an opening, but his shot from an ideal position was stopped by Piet Velthuizen. VVV-Venlo captain Keisuke Honda was also unable to foil theVitesse keeper; he collected the ball well but seemed to have lost the magic touch of earlier on in the season.

 

The home side only came to life after about 30 minutes. Onur Kaya and Rogier Molhoek launched a simple attack on the VVV goal. Molhoek anticipated well and passed to Dalibor Stevanovic. He lacked enough ball control and shot too high. A few minutes later, he corrected his mistake and his second attempt gave the home side the lead: 1-0. VVV-Venlo was lucky to reach half time just one goal behind, after Claudemir nearly managed to score again in injury time.

 

In the second half Vitesse left it up to the guests to dominate play, which lead to what seemed to be a perfect opportunity for VVV-Venlo. Schaken’s too hasty reaction to a pass from Honda missed. Jasar Takak was brought on a few minutes later for Schaken. VVV-Venlo remained the better side, but without the threatening edge they showed in the first half. To add some more pressure Ruud Boymans came on for Sandro Calabro, who played with a face mask to protect his nose injury.

 

The home fans in the Gelredome rose as one man fifteen minutes before time expecting to be awarded a penalty when Rogier Molhoek was floored by Kevin Begois. However, referee Winter saw the Vitesse midfielder’s action as a blatant dive, and to the crowds’ rage showed him a yellow card. VVV-Venlo made every effort to score, but the deserved equaliser failed to materialise in Arnhem. In injury time Claudemir sealed VVV-Venlo’s fate by making it 2-0. This defeat brings VVV-Venlo closer to the dreaded relegation zone. Due to international fixtures there are no premier league games planned until two weeks’ time leaving Jan van Dijk some breathing space to get his team back on track. The next match is Sunday 22 November at home against Sparta Rotterdam.

 

 

Saturday 7 November 2009

 

VITESSE – VVV-VENLO 1-0

38. Dalibro Stevanovic 1-0. Match official: Winter. Crowd attendance: 18615. Yellow cards: Rogier Molhoek and Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse).

 

Squad Vitesse:

Piet Velthuizen; Paul Verhaegh, Kevin van Diermen, Frank van der Struijk, Calvin Jong-a-Pin; Caludemir, Nicky Hofs (75. Lasse Nilsson), Rogier Molhoek; Onur Kaya (63. Serginho Greene), Wiljan Pluim (86. Alexander Büttner) and Dalibor Stevanaovic.

 

Squad VVV-Venlo:

Kevin Begois; Ferry de Regt, Frank van Kouwen, Patrick Paauwe, Adil Auassar; Ken Leemans, Keisuke Honda, Kevin van Dessel (81. Niels Fleuren); Ruben Schaken (60. Jasar Takak), Sandro Calabro (70. Ruud Boymans) and Achmed Ahahaoui.