It’s a certainty that the Jupiler League has already seen some spectacular, surprising matches and this past Friday was not much different with VVV-Venlo going on a goal frenzy and NAC finally living up to the challenge writes Thomas Jacobs.

After two losses Robert Maaskant’s NAC really needed a win and they had the perfect opponent in Jong Ajax, who have been defending like statues this season. The three points were absolutely vital as the NAC-fans where – already – starting to get irritated with the club. Not only NAC, but MVV Maastricht as well have not earned any points after two matches. With an away-game in Oss in hindsight, it is going to be hard to get any points at all.

On the top of the table there are four sides with 100% records. Achilles ’29, Jong PSV, FC Volendam and FC Emmen are having a perfect season so far and latter is the first team who tried to keep their winning streak going, but in and against Den Bosch they never got any chance to do that. Just before the half-hour mark, Jordy Thomassen scored the first goal of many for FC Den Bosch. The home side were a lot stronger and via Arda Havar and Malcolm Esajas they eventually won the match easily with 3-0. A walk in the park for Den Bosch manager René van Eck.

Another team who kept their perfect start in tact was Achilles ’29, but this is seen as one of the biggest surprise in the league. Mentally wise a great boost, because both games where won after sensational comebacks. The third team they faced was RKC Waalwijk, who tied their first two games. In a really boring game chances where a rarity for both teams, 0-0 was therefore a logical, but quite disappointing end result. Leaving Achilles remains unbeaten and RKC Waalwijk with three points out of the same amount of matches.

Already two of the four teams with the perfect record did not manage to win their third match and Jong PSV was not an exception in this rule. Visitors VVV-Venlo were on rampage and nothing could stopped them that day. Especially their creative mastermind Gianluca Nijholt was on fire, he scored the first goal of the match – a brilliant screamer which smashed off both posts before crossing the line. The 25-year-old, who has attracted interest from De Graafschap, was also responsible for the third VVV-goal. Manager Maurice Steijn eventually left Eindhoven with three points in the bag after a simple, big 5-1 victory against Jong PSV.

The last club who didn’t lose a point in the first matches was FC Volendam. They already played against NAC Breda (4-1) and FC Den Bosch (2-0) and where full of confidence when they faced another relegated side in FC Dordrecht. ‘Dordt’ where the hosts, but Volendam took care of business. With the always dangerous, fast Gyliano van Velzen and ’goal scorer for fun’ Jack Tuyp it was already 2-0 at half-time. Latter was responsible for both goals. After the break, Dordrecht immediately pulled one back but this was not enough. On the hour mark, it was Kees Kwakman who made it 3-1. Therefore, FC Volendam are the only club with a 100% record after three matchdays.

Eindhoven – Rotterdam will be played in the Eredivisie this Sunday  (PSV – Feyenoord), but the rehearsal between the two cities took place in Rotterdam this Friday. Sparta hosted a match against FC Eindhoven. Latter was the better side, but just before half time it was even Sparta who came undeserved ahead via Loris Brogno. In the first five minutes of the second half they even scored two more goals. Paco van Moorsel and Thomas Verhaar eventually gave Sparta the flattered 3-0 win.

NAC Breda played their second home match, after the 1-4 loss against FC Volendam on the first matchday. They didn’t started well, but  took the control of the match eventually. Jong Ajax couldn’t get any big chances, and it was no surprise the hosts won the game. Goals from Mats Seuntjens, Kevin Brands and debutant Sjoerd Ars all fell in the first half. A simple 3-0 victory for Maaskant and his boys.

MVV Maastricht didn’t started well this season. Having nil points after two matches. Apparently, third time is the charm, because they finally earned the points they needed. FC Oss was their first ‘victim’ of the season.  MVV started the match with a good attacking style and within thirty minutes they were 0-2 ahead. Just a few minutes after the second goal, FC Oss were awarded a penalty and came back in the match. Stef Peeters made sure MVV would win the game with the third goal for the away side, clinching the three points.

In Velsen there was the match between rivals SC Telstar and Almere City. SC Telstar were the better team and came ahead twice via two free kicks from Mohammed Ajnan. He wasn’t the only one who scored twice that match. Sven Braken, who played for MVV last season, scored both Almere-goals, one of them was in dying seconds of the match. 2-2 was a result both parties could be happy with.

Eight of the nine matches have been covered. The ‘last one’ was between Helmond Sport and Fortuna Sittard. After a good start from the home team, it was Fortuna Sittad who took the lead just before half time via Lars Hutten. Fortuna Sittard-striker Lekesiz scored their second goal just after a hour. A good win + a clean sheet for Fortuna: 0-2.

Player of the week:

Gianluca Nijholt. Scoring twice against Jong PSV. The attacking midfielder from VVV-Venlo was  -without a doubt – the best player in the match versus PSV which they won 1-5, but also in this matchday.

RESULTS

Friday 21st August

NAC 3-0 Jong Ajax

Telstar 2-2 Almere City

Dordrecht 1-3 FC Volendam

Helmond Sport 0-2 Fortuna Sittard

Achilles ’29 0-0 RKC Waalwijk

Jong PSV 1-5 VVV-Venlo

Sparta Rotterdam 3-0 FC Eindhoven

FC Den Bosch 3-0 FC Emmen

FC Oss 1-3 MVV Maastricht

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After losing their first match, NAC Breda and Go Ahead Eagles went into ‘Matchday Two’ looking for a win. Both teams needed the three points even though it’s just the start of the season. FC Volendam and FC Dordrecht hoped to hold their 100% record, just like FC Emmen. With 27 goals in eight matches there was more than enough spectacle, but even more spectacular was the match in Limburg between Fortuna Sittard and Achilles ’29  writes Thomas Jacobs.

With the unfortunate draw last week against FC Den Bosch, Fortuna Sittard looked to gain three points at home against Achilles’29. Before kick-off, the visitors looked like the perfect team to beat, and five minutes after the half-time break, Sittard gained a comfortable 2-0 lead. Gokhan Lekesiz, who missed a penalty last week, netted twice. Achilles’29 became stronger after the second goal, and Sittard buckled as just after the hour mark, Freek Thoone got Achilles back in the game with a lucky goal before Levi Raja Boaen notched the equaliser with ten minutes to go. Just when it looked like there would not be a winner, Eef van Riel notched to make 3-2. Achilles grabbed a fourth in injury time via Hielke Penterman. With this sensational comeback, Achilles’29 start their season with six points in two games, taking them to the top of the table.

With a 4-1 win over NAC Breda last week, FC Volendam have also started fantastically. This week, Den Bosch were the opponents and Volendam ran out the better team as 2-0 winners with Jack Tuyp and Kevin van Kippersluis with the goals. This was impressive as Volendam had Rafik El Hamdi sent off after two yellow cards.

NAC travelled to FC Eindhoven and returned home to Breda with a 2-1 defeat. After just one shot on target in the first half, the second half was more exciting. A Kevin Brands free-kick gave Breda the advantage but FC Eindhoven debutant Anil Koc grabbed the equaliser with his first touch. Two minutes later, Anthony van den Hurk notched the winner. After two games, NAC are standing at the bottom of the table with zero points.

Just like NAC Breda, Go Ahead Eagles began the season with a loss. This week, it was the first match in the Eagles’ renewed stadium ‘De Adelaarshorst’ and Telstar was the opponent. Eagles striker Leon de Kogel scored twice after just eighteen minutes. Telstar looked lacklustre and unable to create any chances. Eagles kept attacking and they ran out 5-0 winners with Mohamed Hamdaoui, Orhan Dzepar (on his debut) and Kenny Teijsse scoring the other goals.

FC Emmen hosted FC Dordrecht and in an evenly balanced match, the hosts won 1-0. Erixon Danso gave the home side the lead on the hour mark and Dordrecht tried for the equalizer, but every time Dennis Telgenkamp was on hand to protect the points for Emmen.

The first half between VVV-Venlo and FC Oss went back and forth, till the 39^th minute when VVV defender Jason Bourdouxhe received a red card, and FC Oss were awarded a penalty. Seku Conneh made no mistake and FC Oss were a goal in front. After half-time, there was a magical moment from Leandro Resida. With an perfect chip he beat the goalkeeper and made it 1-1. However, it only lasted for a few minutes as Alvin Fortes scored the winner, and FC Oss went home with the three points in the bag.

In their first game of the season, Sparta Rotterdam drew 1-1 away to RKC Waalwijk. Thomas Verhaar scored a stunning goal near the end of the first-half to send Sparta into half-time with the lead. However, Arsenio Valpoort scored the undeserved equalizer in the 87^th minute, giving his team a point to cherish.

In Maastricht, Jong PSV tried to win back-to-back games against MVV. Stef Peeters gave MVV the lead but in the second half, PSV turned the match around into a 3-1 lead after goals from Sander Heesakkers, Clint Leemans and Boris Cmiljanic. Pieter Nys gained a consolation and MVV was close to get nailing a point, but Luuk Koopmans did not let that happen.

The last match of the weekend was played between Jong Ajax and Helmond Sport on Monday evening. Ajax, playing with numerous players of the first team, started well and it resulted in a 1-0 lead after sixteen minutes with Croatian Robert Muric scoring. It was a contender for ‘goal of the week’ with a phenomenal long range effort in the top corner. Helmond Sport surged forward and in the 67^th minute, Steven Edwards scored the deserving equalizer.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Leon de Kogel (Go Ahead Eagles)

The big striker was very important for his side with two goals after eighteen minutes. It was the start of an easy 5-0 win over SC Telstar.

RESULTS

Friday 14th August

Fortuna Sittard 2-4 Achilles ’29

FC Eindhoven 2-1 NAC Breda

VVV-Venlo 1-2 FC Oss

RKC Waalwijk 1-1 Sparta Rotterdam

MVV 2-3 Jong PSV

FC Volendam 2-0 FC Den Bosch

FC Emmen 1-0 FC Dordrecht

Sunday 16th August

Go Ahead Eagles 5-0 SC Telstar

Monday 17th August

Jong Ajax 1-1 Helmond Sport

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