VVV-Venlo - SC Heerenveen

VVV-Venlo have come back with a strong performance after last Saturday’s defeat. At Seacon Stadium – De Koel – defensively poor SC Heerenveen were no trouble at all: 3-1. After 20 minutes, the home side had already created a comfortable 3-0 lead, thus continuing their good results at the home ground.

 

At their own stadium, VVV-Venlo could use the services again of ‘problem children’ Ruben Schaken and Achmed Ahahaoui. And it was a good thing, too, that coach Jan van Dijk was able to play the two wingers, for it was this duo that ensured that after 20 minutes the Venlo squad had achieved a fantastic 3-0 lead. The festival of goals started after 11 minutes, although the hosts could have taken an ample lead before that. During the first ten minutes, they had created three dangerous situations via Ferry de Regt, Ken Leemans and Sandro Calabro.

 

Apparently, SC Heerenveen had not learned anything from these warnings. The very first corner produced a goal. Achmed Ahahaoui’s corner was headed on by Gonzalo García at the near post, after which Ferry de Regt netted the 1-0 with a powerful shot from close by. Three minutes later, the story was repeated, this time the ball came from the other corner. Now it was Patrick Paauwe who headed Ahahaoui’s corner on to Sandro Calabro. Garcia, with his hip, converted Calabro’s shot to make it 2-0. Two minutes after that, it was the other winger who stood at the basis of the 3-0. From the right wing, Ruben Schaken fed the ball on to the far post, where Sandro Calabro cleverly headed the ball home in the opposite direction. Within five minutes and 23 seconds, the home side had moved the score from 0-0 up to 3-0.

 

After that, the Venlo storm subsided somewhat, although they continued to create opportunities. Adil Auassar, for instance, tricked Kristian Bak Nielsen with a special movement of his body only to shoot the ball way over keeper Brian Vandenbussche. One of SC Heerenveen’s rare appearances on the home side’s half resulted in a penalty for the Frisians. Auassar stuck to Viktor Elm’s shirt slightly too long after which referee Luinge awarded a penalty. This was just up old hand Gerald Sibon’s alley. The former VVV-Venlo striker gave keeper Kevin Begois no chance at all: 3-1. Just before half-time, Ruben Schaken should have increased the margin to three goals again: turning up in front of Vandenbussche all by himself, he only hit the Belgian goalie’s body.

 

The first 15 minutes of the second half were quite spectacular. Both sides were playing at a high pace and creating chances as well. Ahahaoui, for instance, was in a favourable position to score for VVV-Venlo and so was Sibon for the Frisians. After that first quarter, too, the game remained attractive, with attacks from both sides. There were shots from Frank van Kouwen and sub Oussama Assaidi, but Gonzalo García had the best chance. Seeing the Frisian keeper standing too far from his goal, he tried to play the ball over him. With a catlike reflex, Vandenbussche knocked the ball over his goal. It turned out to be the midfielder’s last feat. After this action, Kevin van Dessel relieved the scorer of the second goal.

 

VVV-Venlo did not allow the visitors to come any closer than 3-1. With the three points in their pocket, the Venlo side came back with a strong performance after the defeat against NAC Breda. However, VVV-Venlo cannot linger too long over this great victory, for this Sunday will bring the next opponent to the Seacon Stadium – De Koel – in Venlo: Vitesse from Arnhem.

 

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

 

VVV-VENLO – SC HEERENVEEN 3-1

11. Ferry de Regt 1-0, 14. Gonzalo García 2-0, 16. Sandro Calabro 3-0, 35. Gerald Sibon 3-1 (penalty). Referee: Luinge. Crowd attendance: 7500. Yellow cards: Patrick Paauwe, Ruben Schaken (both VVV-Venlo), Christian Grindheim and Michal Papadopulos (both SC Heerenveen).

 

 

VVV-Venlo squad:

Kevin Begois; Ferry de Regt, Frank van Kouwen, Patrick Paauwe, Niels Fleuren; Ken Leemans, Gonzalo García (77. Kevin van Dessel), Adil Auassar; Ruben Schaken, Sandro Calabro and Achmed Ahahaoui (83. Diogo Viana).

 

SC Heerenveen squad:

Brian Vandenbussche; Michal Svec, Kristian Bak Nielsen, Michael Dingsdag, Gerry Koning; Christian Grindheim (72. Michal Papadopulos), Hernan Losada (46. Philip Haglund), Viktor Elm; Roy Beerens (19. Oussama Assaidi), Gerald Sibon and Paulo Henrique.