EREDIVISIE: FC Twente 2-2 ADO Den Haag |

SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST 2014

FC TWENTE 2 – 2 ADO DEN HAAG

It was an entertaining draw between FC Twente and ADO Den Haag with a couple of great goals, but sloppy defending was at fault for both sides. Either one of them could have taken the three points on the balance of the game, but a draw was a fair result in the end reports Jake Jackman.

FC Twente started the game very well, as some early pressure resulted in Kyle Ebecilio getting in behind the defence, but his effort was smartly saved by Hansen. The home side looked a lot brighter than they did in their opening weekend fixture as their passing looked more crisp and they looked like a team which could challenge near the top of the division. Kamohelo Mokotjo was making his first start for FC Twente and looked assured in midfield.

The home side continued to have the better of the play, but couldn’t find the final ball to create clear cut chances for Luc Castaignos, who should be one of the front runners to be top scorer of the Eredivisie this year. ADO Den Haag played the offside trap excellently in the opening passage of the game, catching their opponents offside frequently. Kasper Kusk came close to opening the scoring with a decent shot which forced a save from Hansen, before a free kick from Mokhtar also brought the goalkeeper into action. The pressure was building.

ADO Den Haag were thinking they could hold on until half time, but an excellent run from Mokotjo saw him exchange passes Ebecilio before slotting past Hansen. It was an excellent goal, and a show of individual skill from the South African. It was deserved, and the home side took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second half started like the first did with all of the attacking coming from FC Twente, with Mokhtar looking very dangerous. Luc Castaignos had an early chance as he beat the offside trap, but the angle didn’t favour him and Hansen saved comfortably. Against the run of play, ADO Den Haag won a penalty after Michiel Kramer was fouled by Rasmus Bengtsson. Roland Alberg converted the penalty to equalise for ADO Den Haag. The home side nearly took the lead minutes later as Castaignos released Tim Holscher, but Hanson again made a good stop.

After the goal, ADO started to press more and get more of the possession. They took the lead in the 78th minute as Mike van Duinen headed home after his first attempt was saved, the chance came about after a strike from distance hit the post. FC Twente’s level dropped after the equaliser, therefore it wasn’t a shock to see them go behind.

It looked like ADO Den Haag would be able to hold onto the win, after defending excellently all match. However it wasn’t to be as Hansen punched the ball poorly straight to Shadrach Eghan the substitute, who fired the ball excellently into the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of the former Liverpool goalkeeper.

The home side had all of the momentum going into the final minutes of the game, as Torgeir Børven had a late chance, but he failed to score the winner. FC Twente will be disappointed they failed to win against ADO Den Haag, especially as the first goal was avoidable, but their level dropped from the first half, allowing the away side back into the game. The away side will be pleased with the point, but after having the lead, they will be disappointed they didn’t hang on after defending so well in the opening 45 minutes.

TEAMS

TWENTE: Marsman, Martina, Lachman, Bengtsson (Børven 83), Koppers, Mokotjo, Ebecilio, Hölscher (Eghan 66), Castaignos, Mokhtar (Ould-Chikh 82), Kusk.

SUBS NOT USED: Stevens, Schilder, Børven, Breukers, Andersen.

GOALS: Mokotjo 45+1, Eghan 86.

BOOKINGS: Mokhtar 41, Bengtsson 54.

ADO: Hansen, Malone, Zuiverloon, Wormgoor, Meijers, Alberg, Jansen, Kristensen, Houtkoop (Bakker 86), Kramer, Van Duinen.

SUBS NOT USED: Zwinkels, Kanon, Buwalda, Ebuehi, Owobowale, Merencia.

GOALS: Alberg 54, Van Duinen 77.

BOOKINGS: Alberg 79.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente)