Tag Archives: Willem II

EREDIVISIE REPORT: WEEK 1… Part Two

August 12, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

WEEK ONE (PART TWO) – 11TH AND 12TH AUGUST 2015

So a goalkeeper scored an equaliser in the dying seconds with an outstanding back-heeled flick in the Eredivisie this week – Will Burns is here to report on the remaining five games in the Dutch top flight from week one.

Danish goalkeeper Martin Hansen was the toast of The Hague this past Tuesday after scoring an injury-time winner for ADO Den Haag in their opening day clash with defending champions PSV. Now anytime a keeper sprints up the pitch for a last minute set piece, it is always an exciting time to see if the big man can rise above all others to smash a header home past his opposite number.

However, this was no header – a poor free-kick from Kenji Gorre gave Hansen the option of instinctively flicking his boot up for a back-heel, which he connected perfectly with to skim the ball past Jeroen Zoet for the draw.

PSV had started well and took the lead, dubiously, through their new number ten, Adam Maher. Replays of the goal showed that Maher was offside when he received the ball on 23 minutes to put PSV in front. However, minutes later the score was all level. Colombian right-back Santiago Arias bundled over Aaron Meijers which looked outside the penalty area, but referee Richard Liesveld pointed to the spot and Ronald Alberg converted.

Luuk de Jong opened his account for the season just after the hour mark, simply pushing a header past Hansen after the ADO defence left the big striker unmarked until Hansen clinched a point with his dramatic leveller. A disappointing start for PSV’s looking to retain their Eredivisie title.

In Tuesday’s late game, Heerenveen were impressive in their 3-1 win over newly promoted De Graafschap. The Eredivisie new boys found themselves two goals down by half-time after Simon Thern took advantage of a defensive mix-up by Lion Kaak to slot past Hidde Jurjus in the De Graafschap goal. Debutant Mitchell te Vrede, a signing this week from Feyenoord, notching the second after some great work down the wing from the industrious Luciano Narsingh.

It was more of the same after the break and Thern headed home on 53 minutes for his second and Heerenveen’s third. A Vincent Vermeij header was just a consolation for the visitors and they look to turn things around on Saturday as they host PEC Zwolle.

Wednesday’s games began with a poor game in Groningen, as Edwin van der Looi’s side faced FC Twente which ended all square at 1-1. Twente took the lead when Renato Tapia was left alone at the front post and headed home a Hakim Ziyech corner just before the break. However, Groningen replied in the 83rd minute to salvage a point through a Michael de Leeuw goal after being played through on goal by substitute Danny Hoesen.

SC Cambuur battled back from two goals down to a 2-2 draw away at PEC Zwolle. Zwolle’s new defender Dirk Marcellis grabbed the opening goal on 31 minutes after some great footwork evading the Cambuur defence by fellow new signing Lars Veldwijk (on loan from Nottingham Forest). Minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead with a tremendous left-footed long drive from Sheraldo Becker giving Leonard Nienhuis no chance in goal. The Leeuwarden-outfit fought hard and clinched a lifeline with twenty minutes to go through Erik Bakker and seven minutes later the scores were level. Sjoerd Overgoor finished beautifully after Bakker laid it on a plate for the midfielder to secure a point.

In the final game of the week, N.E.C. Nijmegen left it late to defeat Excelsior. It was a uneventful and un-entertaining affair that ended with a Navarone Foor goal with just minutes remaining.

RESULTS

Tuesday 11th August

ADO Den Haag 2-2 PSV

sc Heerenveen 3-1 De Graafschap

Wednesday 12th August

FC Groningen 1-1 FC Twente

PEC Zwolle 2-2 SC Cambuur

N.E.C. 1-0 Excelsior

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EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE REPORT: WEEK 1… Part One

August 10, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

WEEK ONE (PART ONE) – 8TH AND 9TH AUGUST 2015

The opening weekend of the Dutch league season was severely affected by police strike action, and due to this, the nine Eredivisie games are to be spread across the majority of the week. Will Burns is on hand to give you a rundown of all the action from the first four matches.

In an amazing contrast on Sunday morning, after watching the European performances of the past fortnight, the disappointing Ajax travelled to Alkmaar to face the promising AZ and the tables were turned. The Amsterdammers left the AFAS Stadion with a 3-0 win after an Anwar El Ghazi brace followed by Nemanja Gudelj notching against the club he left in the summer.

Ajax scored all three inside the first-half with El Ghazi opening the scoring on 14 minutes with a sublime effort after some quick thinking from Mitchell Dijks. A quickly took free-kick allowed El Ghazi some space some 30 yards out and El Ghazi, after meeting his hero in the summer, hit a Ronaldo-like dipping shot giving AZ stopper Sergio Rochet no chance of saving.

It was a close affair with AZ hitman Vincent Janssen look the most likely to threaten for the John van der Brom’s side but it was his goalkeeper Rochet that handed the game to Frank de Boer’s outfit. El Ghazi got his head on the end of a whipping Gudelj free-kick and Rochet, although the Uruguayan stopped the effort, he failed to control and ended up fumbling the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

The third and final goal by Gudelj was also another that Rochet would not like to watch in the highlights that evening, after parrying the Serbian’s long range effort into the top corner of his goal.

AZ coach Van der Brom stated he felt sorry for his supporters that sold out the stadium for this match, but will look to make amends next weekend in Rotterdam against Excelsior. For De Boer, his side showed no Euro hangover as they look to challenge to regain the Eredivisie crown taken from them by PSV last season.

In the opening game of the season, Roda JC made a return to the Eredivisie with a hefty 3-1 win over Heracles even though the Almelo outfit went ahead after the half-hour mark through Iliass Bel Hassani. Although, the lead did not last long as four minutes later, Edwin Gyasi managed to weave his through to equalise. Early in the second half, Roda took the advantage with Tom van Hyfte scrambling the ball home after Gyasi’s header hit the post. Heracles pressed to level the game up but in the final moments, Hicham Faik smashed home a long range effort to cement all three points.

Dirk Kuyt also made his return to the Dutch top flight leading Feyenoord to a 3-2 victory over FC Utrecht at De Kuip on Saturday evening. Even though the Rotterdammers were reduced to ten-man after young right-back Rick Karsdorp was harshly dismissed by referee Kevin Blom early in the second-half. Turkish striker Colin-Kazim Richards gave Giovanni van Bronckhorst a great start to his managerial career heading home debutant Marko Vejinovic’s free-kick to make it 1-0.

After Karsdorp was shown his marching orders for his hard tackle on Christian Kum, Utrecht levelled the scoring through French striker Sébastien Haller, whom signed permanently from Auxerre last month on 75 minutes, however the score was only 1-1 for a few moments.

The equaliser fired up Van Bronckhorst’s side and they regained the lead two minutes later when substitute Tonny Vilhena, rumoured to be leaving the club, was at the back post to knock home Karim El-Ahmadi’s cross. With the De Kuip faithful in full force, Feyenoord pressed to kill the game off and Bilal Başaçıkoğlu was tripped in the area by Yannick Cortie, and Kuyt marked his return with a successful penalty conversion. Haller nabbed an injury-time consolation through a penalty kick of his own but it was Feyenoord that ended as the victors by three goals to two.

Looking to build on a successful campaign last season, Willem II boss Jurgen Streppel lead his team out full of confidence on Sunday afternoon against Peter Bosz’ Vitesse in a game that ended tied at a goal apiece. The Tilburg side took the lead just after the hour mark through new recruit Erik Falkenburg before Ukrainian midfielder Denis Oliynyk.

A further five contests will make up week one of the Eredivisie to take place Tuesday and Wednesday this week… if the police do not decide on another strike?!

Check back later this week for ‘Part Two’ of the Eredivisie report.

RESULTS

Saturday 8th August

Roda JC 3-1 Heracles

Feyenoord 3-2 FC Utrecht

Sunday 9th August

AZ 0-3 Ajax

Willem II 1-1 Vitesse

FIXTURES

Tuesday 11th August

ADO Den Haag vs. PSV

sc Heerenveen vs. De Graafschap

Wednesday 12th August

FC Groningen vs. FC Twente

PEC Zwolle vs. SC Cambuur

N.E.C. vs. Excelsior

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FEATURE

Total Dutch Football 2014/15 Manager of the Season

May 19, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

The votes proved that there was only one manager worthy of our first annual ‘Manager of the Season’ award. All staff were asked to name their top three managers. Each first pick received three points, second place received two points and one point was awarded for the third pick. The results are below…

Winner – PHILIP COCU (PSV) 15 points

Great players, do not make great managers right? In only his second full year as coach, former international midfielder Philip Cocu guided PSV to their 22nd Eredivisie championship title. As an inexperienced manager, Cocu has led a team with an average age of 23, to an emphatic league victory winning by gigantic 17 points over bitter rivals Ajax.

Next season perhaps sees Cocu’s biggest challenge, a Champions League campaign and trying to retain the Eredivisie shield without some important cogs in this season’s wheel. Memphis Depay has already departed, whilst big money moves for Georginio Wijnaldum and Jetro Willems are surely round the corner. Cocu will have a large amount of money to spend, but former international team-mates Frank de Boer and Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be building squads themselves for a title fight.

2nd – EDWIN VAN DE LOOI (FC Groningen) 8 points

The 43-year-old from Huissen, clinched his trophy for the Pride of the North defeating PEC Zwolle in the KNVB Beker final earlier this month, the first time in the clubs history. A eighth place finish was a great achievement after losing many big names last summer, and another punt at the Europa League next season is to look forward too.

3rd – RON JANS (PEC Zwolle) 3 points

The beginning of the season was a great start for Jans and Zwolle, defeating Ajax in the Johan Cruyiff Schaal. A KNVB Beker final defeat was not to be shamed of, and finishing in the top six, the highest in their history is an unbelievable turnaround from the little team that couldn’t a few years back.

OTHERS

HENK DIJKHUIZEN (Excelsior) 1 point

JURGEN STREPPEL (Willem II) 1 point

FRED RUTTEN (Feyenoord) 1 point

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: Willem II 2-1 NAC Breda

September 20, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2014

WILLEM II 2 – 1 NAC BREDA

Willem II clinched a late 2-1 win over NAC Breda on Friday night through a 91st minutes Robert Braber winner writes Will Burns.

Former Chelsea youth striker Ben Sahar put the hosts ahead after beating the offside trap collecting Stijn Wuytens through ball to nutmeg NAC keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar early on.

After claiming victories in their last two games, NAC grabbed an equaliser three minutes before the interval when Uros Matic hit a low drive past Kostas Lamprou from 25 yards.

The hosts pressed for a winner but it looked likely that they would have to settle for a point however, Robert Braber provided the late drama to lift Jurgen Streppel’s men into the top half of the division. Braber, a summer signing from relegated RKC Waalwijk, finished well after great hold up play from substitute Bruno Andrade.

TEAMS

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Van der Struijk, D. Wuytens, Peters, Dijks (Heymans 72), Haemhouts, Braber, S. Wuytens, Cabral (Vicento 84), Sahar, Armenteros (Bruno Andrade 69).

SUBS NOT USED: Meul, Heerkens, Messaoud, De Brito, Ippel.

GOALS: Sahar 13, Braber 90+1.

BOOKINGS: None.

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, Ssewankambo, Drost, Damcevski, Amieux, Falkenburg, De Kamps, Matic, Boateng (Sarpong 80), Perica, Tighadouini (Seuntjens 73).

SUBS NOT USED: Babos, De Roover, Suk, Robinson, Van der Weg.

GOALS: Matic 42.

BOOKINGS: De Kamps 77, Ten Rouwelaar 90+2, Perica 90+5.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Uros Matic (NAC Breda)

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: Feyenoord 1-2 Willem II

September 14, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2014

FEYENOORD 1 – 2 WILLEM II

It was an historic night in Rotterdam as Willem II recorded their first away win in the Eredivisie since December 2009. A Samuel Armenteros inspired performance guided the away side to a surprise away victory against struggling Feyenoord. Feyenoord opted to rest their star player Jordy Clasie as they perhaps had one eye on Thursday’s Europa League clash against Sevilla writes Simon Prue.

Feyenoord dominated possession in the early stages of the match but failed to create any clear cut chances. Willem II’s defence looked shaky in the opening 10 minutes, however, it did not matter as a wonderful counter attacking move in the 8^th minute saw Frank van der Struijk give Willem II the lead. Armenteros broke away down the left hand side with pace before his deflected cross fell perfectly for van der Struijk to volley home with conviction.

Feyenoord’s best opportunity in the opening 20 minutes of the match came as a result of former Middlebrough man Luke Wilkshire whose free kick was directed straight into the arms of Willem II’s keeper Kostas Lamprou, currently on loan from the Rotterdammers.

Willem II continued to soak up Feyenoord’s pressure and were rewarded for their discipline as they caught Feyenoord on the counter attack once more and doubled their lead in the 23^rd minute through star man Samuel Armenteros. Ondaan skillfully passed Kongolo down the right hand side before pulling the ball back superbly into the path of Armenteros who guided the ball expertly into the roof of the net.

The hosts began to get a grip of themselves and started to threaten Willem II’s increasingly stubborn defence. Dries Wuytens made a crucial recovery tackle to deny Schaken a clear goal scoring opportunity before Te Vrede could only glance his header wide of the post from close range. After Kongolo saw a strong penalty appeal waved away, Feyenoord created their best chance of the game as Lex Immers latched onto a loose ball just inside the 18 yard box but he could only screw his shot horribly wide of Lamprou’s right hand post.

Feyenoord introduced Jens Toornstra and Elvis Manu at the break but there was no change in the pattern of play. Willem II looked to sit back and Feyenoord couldn’t find a way through the opposition’s defence. Kongolo summed up the hosts’ frustration and anxiety as he was cautioned for a reckless challenge from behind on Terell Ondaan.

Just after the hour mark, Luke Wilkshire delivered another good cross towards the near post and Manu should have done better with the opportunity as his header went straight into the hands of Lamprou.

In the 75^th minute Luke Wilshire’s teasing crosses were finally rewarded as Colin Kazim Richards leaped above his marker and flicked the ball into the top corner. Kazim Richards almost doubled his tally moments later with an impressive acrobatic scissor kick that flew past the stationary Lamprou but also past the post.

Two great chances for Feyenoord followed. Firstly, Manu went on a mazy run into the penalty area turning van der Struijk inside out but his shot was once again well saved by Lamprou. In the 89^th minute tricky winger Ruben Schaken floated in a cross that was cleared into the path of Toornstra whose powerful volley crashed against the post.

Samuel Armenteros had a wonderful chance to get his second goal of the game deep into injury time but his lobbed effort landed on the roof of the net.

TEAMS

FEYENOORD: Vermeer, Wilkshire, Van Beek, Mathijsen (Manu 46), Kongolo, El Ahmadi, Immers, Vilhena, Schaken, Te Vrede (Kazim-Richards 63), Boëtius (Toornstra 46).

SUBS NOT USED: Mulder, Nelom, Karsdorp, Basaçikoglu.

GOALS: Kazim-Richards 78.

BOOKINGS: Kongolo 51.

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Dijks (Heerkens 80), Peters, D. Wuytens, Van der Struijk, S. Wuytens, Haemhouts (Ippel 56), Braber, Ondaan (Sporkslede 71), Armenteros, Saher.

SUBS NOT USED: Meul, Cabral, Vleugels, Vicento.

GOALS: Van der Struijk 8, Armenteros 23.

BOOKINGS: Peters 90+2.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Samuel Armenteros (Willem II)

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: Go Ahead Eagles 1-0 Willem II

August 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST

GO AHEAD EAGLES 1 – 0 WILLEM II

After a poor opening three games, Go Ahead Eagles recorded their first win of the season, overtaking opposition Willem II in the process. This match may not have had many goals, but it was entertaining, with two red cards and plenty of chances, especially in the second half writes Jake Jackman.

Go Ahead Eagles have had a poor start and would be looking at this home meeting against Willem II as the perfect opportunity to get a win on the board, especially as Bruno Andrade and Samuel Armenteros were missing for the away side. Willem have started the season okay after promotion and look like they could have a good season.

After an encouraging start from Go Ahead Eagles, it was the away side that had the first real chance as Ben Sahar had a good run, before his low shot was pushed wide by Cummins. It was the home side that dominated most of the early possession, but the passing took place in their own half, so there was little threat to the Willem II goal. The away side came close to breaking the deadlock as Terell Ondaan hit the post with a shot from outside the area.

The home side slowly started to gain control of the match as Deniz Turuc shot wide from distance. Minutes late, Turuc hit the post, Go Ahead Eagles were looking the better side. They still had the better chances, as both Turuc and Marnix Kolder missed the target from distance.

There weren’t a great amount of clear cut chances in the first half, but the home side were the better team. Both sides hit the post, yet the score remained goalless. Go Ahead Eagles and Willem II both looked okay in possession, but the nerves were clear as they looked more worried about conceding than attempting to score a goal. Marnix Kolder looked the most likely to make something happen in the final third, while the Go Ahead Eagles attackers put in a lot of good deliveries, but nobody could make the decisive touch.

Minutes into the second half, Deniz Turuc had a good chance, but his shot from outside the box was saved easily. The away side also had a chance early on in the second 45 minutes as Robbie Haemhouts headed Stijn Wuytens cross straight at the keeper. Then disaster struck as the away side went down to ten men after Jonas Heymans was sent off. The resulting free kick went straight into the wall, before Turuc fired over from range. It was reckless from Heymans and he deserved to see the red card as it was a dangerous situation for Go Ahead Eagles.

The home side finally took the lead as Bart Vriends headed in from close range after a decent delivery from Jop van der Linden. They nearly doubled their lead after Kolder played a through ball to Jules Reimerink who had his shot saved, he really should have done better.

Another red card was shown, this time to the home side as the goalscorer Vriends was dismissed for violent conduct after hitting an opposition player. Terell Odnaan had a chance to equalise soon after but his shot went wide. Willem II came close to equalising through Wuytens, who hit the bar from a free kick, it was a great effort and he was unlucky not to score. Odnaan then came close twice, once from a free kick as he saw his shot saved, while a few minutes later, he came even closer to drawing level for Willem. His shot from outside the area was wicked and the swerve beat Cummins, but it struck the outside of the post.

The away side continued to push for an equaliser and they were certainly the better side in the final stages, with Odnaan looking particularly dangerous, but Go Ahead Eagles clung on for their first win of the season. They were far from convincing and the two red cards definitely hindered the flow of the game. Willem II will point to hitting the frame of the goal three times and say they were unlucky to lose, but the home side controlled the majority of the match. A draw would have been a fair reflection on the match, but the home side will not be complaining after picking up their first three points of the season.

TEAMS

GO AHEAD: Cummins, Nieuwpoort, Vriends, Van der Linden, Schenk, Van Ooijen (Duits 74), Overgoor, Türüç, Reimerink (Lewis 82), Kolder (Ten Den 90+3), Schalk.

SUBS NOT USED: Van der Hart, Rijsdijk, De Sa, Van der Meer.

GOALS: Vriends 64.

BOOKINGS: Van Ooijen 71, Schenk 81.

SENT OFF: Vriends 69.

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Cornelisse (Heerkens 60), Peters, D. Wuytens, Heymans, Haemhouts, Messaoud (Zanelli 77), S. Wuytens, Ondaan, Vicento (Van der Struijk 56), Sahar.

SUBS NOT USED: Sporkslede, Ippel, Meul, Derkx.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Heymans 46, S. Wuytens 86.

SENT OFF: Heymans 55.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jop van der Linden (Go Ahead Eagles)

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 4: Friday’s Preview & Betting Tips

August 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST

GO AHEAD EAGLES – WILLEM II (19:00 BST)

Matchday four begins with the new boys in town who will visit Go Ahead Eagles. The hosts started dreadful with only one point after three matches and will be looking for a three-pointer versus an unlucky Willem II writes Martijn Hilhorst.

Not because of their recent results which are pretty great but due to available players. One of their key players Bruno Andrade is out with an injury while the newest signing Samuel Armenteros is not allowed to start this weekend due to his transfer paperwork not completed in time.

Where Armenteros can’t start, Sander Duits will. He completed his transfer move this Tuesday to Go Ahead Eagles. The captain from RKC Waalwijk is a midfielder with a great pass, but a bit aggressive some times. He have made a lot of stupid fouls which ended in multiple cards.

Go Ahead Eagles had an awful start and this match won’t be one to gain confidence nor the expected three points. We think Willem II will play very defensive and score at least twice on the counter. They have three pacey forwards who will destroy the Go Ahead Eagles defence.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Draw (13/5 – Betfair)

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: Willem II 3-0 AZ Alkmaar

August 24, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014

WILLEM II 3 – 0 AZ ALKMAAR

Willem II blew AZ Alkmaar away 3-0 on Saturday evening to show that the Eredivisie newcomers are not pushovers writes Will Burns.

The hosts dominated throughout the first-half and nearly got off to a flyer after just three minutes had it not been for Robbie Haemhouts blazing over from just ten yards out.

The Tilburg side did take the lead after just 14 minutes of play through Brazilian striker Bruno Andrade after Ben Sahar capitalised on a terrible mistake by AZ right-back Matías Johansson. Caught in the corner with the ball with Sahar hunting him down, the Swedish international laid the ball into the path of goalkeeper Esteban. The pass did not reach and the Israeli striker nicked the ball away, laid into Andrade inside the box who tapped home. AZ coach Marco van Basten did not looked impressed as his opposite number, Pierluigi Collina-lookalike Jurgen Streppel, punched the air with delight.

Goalscorer Andrade did not last long after his goal picking up a calf strain and was replaced by the always energetic Charlton Vicento on 20 minutes. AZ had injury troubles too with Markus Henriksen being forced off with a knock for Thom Haye some six minutes later.

Streppel’s men nearly doubled their advantage on 28 minutes as Sahar and Ali Messaoud, formerly of AZ, linked up well before the latter rattled the foot of the post with a low drive, however a minute later Messaoud would have more luck.

A long throw from Tim Cornelisse caused major problems for the AZ defence and the ball fell perfectly in the area for Messaoud. Holding off the challenge of Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, the midfielder placed a shot which again hit the post, however the rebound landed at his feet to tap home to make it 2-0.

AZ obviously desperate for a goal pressed for the remainder of the first half but returning goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou, suspended last weekend, dealt with only weak efforts from the poor attack of Guus Hupperts, Mikhail Rosheuvel and Muamer Tankovic.

After a slow start to the second period, AZ came close. Substitute Thom Haye rose above everyone at the front post from a Hupperts corner but Lamprou did really well to tip the ball over as the 9,500 inside the Koning Willem II Stadion erupted out of their seats.

As AZ continued to press, Willem II sealed the game off with a third with five minutes to go. Caught out at the back, Charlton Vicento outsprinted Johansson and clipped the ball over the onrushing Esteban to confirm the win.

AZ were very poor here and will need to improve vastly away to FC Dordrecht next weekend. Willem II are also on their travels as they face Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer.

TEAMS

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Cornelisse, Peters, S. Wuytens (Van der Struijk 80), Heymans, Haemhouts (Ippel 75), Messaoud, D. Wuytens, Ondaan, Andrade (Vicento 21), Sahar.

SUBS NOT USED: Meul, Heerkens, Sporkslede, Derkx.

GOALS: Andrade 14, Messaoud 29, Vicento 86.

BOOKINGS: Ondaan 33.

AZ: Esteban, Johansson, Gouweleeuw, Wuytens, Poulsen, Gudelj, Henriksen (Haye 27), Ortiz, Hupperts, Tankovic, Rosheuvel (Elm 63).

SUBS NOT USED: Rochet, Luckassen, Hoedt, Haps.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Wuytens 37.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ali Messaoud (Willem II)

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 3: Saturday’s Preview & Betting Tips

August 23, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

With just the three games on Saturday, Will Burns and Martijn Hilhorst reveal which bets provide the greatest way to make a profit.

SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST

WILLEM II vs. AZ ALKMAAR (17:30 BST)

The champions of previous season in the Jupiler League will face AZ this Saturday with the legendary Marco van Basten as coach. Willem II is 17th with no points after two games which is not surprising as they faced PSV (H) and FC Utrecht (A). However, now they finally can show how good they are says Martijn Hilhorst.

In the previous season, Willem II showed quite often that they were way too good for the Jupiler League. Dominating competitors with ease and eventually becoming the champions. Yes, they lost some great players and especially Ruud Boymans (27 goals) and lost two matches in a row, which is great for the odds we get here from Bet Victor.

AZ have gained three points after two matches. First matchday was a fairly easy 3-0 win at Heracles Almelo and previous week they were blasted away be Ajax in a home match (3-1). Head coach Van Basten was one the best players in Dutch football history, but as a manager he is not on the level you would expect. More than once was he accused of not being a good tactician.

For a small stake a Willem II win at 7/4 is way too high for the Eredivisie new boys on their own turf.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Willem II to win (7/4 – Bet Victor)

HEERENVEEN vs. EXCELSIOR (18:45 BST)

With new signings Martin Dalgaard and Sam Larsson ready to give Heerenveen a new look after the departures of Hakim Ziyech and Alfred Finnbogason, Will Burns thinks Larsson especially could hit the ground running for Dwight Lodeweges’ side.

New Swedish winger Larsson, 21 year old that signed from IFK Goteborg, arrived in Heerenveen with rave reviews and shocked Swedish journalists and fans alike that Goteborg could see their star player for so such a little amount at €1.4m was reported. With the departure of Ziyech to FC Twente last weekend, Lodeweges will need to find goals from another source as the midfielder was the scorer of both of the goals that Heerenveen have scored this season. Larsson can help with that problem, scoring and creating for others.

Tall and experienced Danish striker Dalgaard scored in a Heerenveen reserve game midweek and could push for his first starting place ahead of the uninspiring Mark Uth. After looking for value in this game, opting for a Heerenveen win with both teams to score gives us a great price of 17/10 at Bet Victor. With Excelsior well capable of scoring goals (three against Go Ahead last weekend) especially with the great threat of young tricky winger Jordan Botaka, this is the best bet in this one.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Heerenveen to win with Both Teams To Score (17/10 – Bet Victor)

GO AHEAD EAGLES vs. FC DORDRECHT (19:45 BST)

FC Dordrecht travel to Deventer in Saturday’s final game to face Go Ahead Eagles in a match that Will Burns thinks will end as a score draw.

Go Ahead Eagles have lost their last three home matches in Eredivisie and coach Foeke Booy knows that needs to change after losing their opening two games of the season. Against the Eredivisie new boys, this gives them a great chance to make amends, however Doredrecht have showed that they are certainly no pushovers defeating Heerenveen 2-1 on matchday one.

Dordrecht were defeated by the in-form PEC Zwolle last weekend and should give the Eagles a cracking test. With the Eagles already notching four goals in the last two games (both 3-2 defeats) look for goals in this one. Looking at the value in this one, the Draw is a fantastic 3/1 and this game could see two sides battling and exchanging plenty of goals.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Draw (3/1 – Bet Victor)

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: FC Utrecht 2-1 Willem II

August 17, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2014

FC UTRECHT 2 – 1 WILLEM II

Three second-half goals were shared as FC Utrecht overturned Willem II 2-1 in a poor game on Sunday reports Will Burns.

This game was hardly a barnburner but it displayed two sides looking to restart their season after tasting defeats last week. Due to on-loan keeper Kostas Lamprou’s sending off last weekend against PSV, Willem II boss Jurgen Streppel had to call upon David Meul to hold the goal and he did well early on. The hosts pressed from the kick-off and on 20 minutes, Yassine Ayoub used some of his trickery to skip past three defenders before playing in attacking midfielder Jens Toornstra, but the stand-in goalie Meul held strong and denied the midfielder.

The keeper’s gloves barely got a chance to cool down before he was called into action again. Mark van der Maarel produced a rare effort and Meul parried the ball wide. The bright spark for Willem II was speedy and skilful winger Terell Ondann, constantly causing trouble down the left wing giving Van der Maarel a torrid time. One thing seems for sure, whatever happens this season to the Tilburg side, Ondann must surely be off to a bigger club in the summer, if not January.

The first-half ended goal-less and Utrecht finally found the net just after the hour mark through ‘Mr. Dependable’ Jens Toornstra. After Van der Maarel surged down the right, the defender whipped a vicious ball into the area and all the Utrecht strikers took swipes but missed the ball. Waiting unmarked at the far post was Toornstra, who perfectly placed the ball out of Meul’s reach. This may be the last goal he scores for Utrecht as the rumours are heating up that the midfielder could be on his way to Feyenoord.

From the restart, Willem II were fired up and searched for an equaliser, although they had to wait until 15 minutes before the end to find it. The lively Ondann collected a cross from Charlton Vicento and drove an effort at goal. Utrecht stopper Robbin Ruiter could only parry into Robbie Haemhouts’ path to finish into the empty goal.

Willem II did not settle for a point and went for the game, but attacking became their downfall as Utrecht scored late on to clinch the victory. Willem II failed to clear a Toornstra corner and while Willem II rushed out of the box, Ayoub found Toornstra on the left. The midfielder hit a first time low cross back into the centre and Leon de Kogel got in front of debutant Frank van der Struijk to slide the ball home past Meul.

A crushing blow for the Tilburgers, who in both games against PSV last week and Utrecht this, have shown signs of a good side. Rob Alflen and Utrecht needed this win to get their season underway after a poor campaign last under Jan Wouters.

TEAMS

UTRECHT: Ruiter, Van der Maarel, Leeuwin, Heerings, Kum, Toornstra, Kali, Ayoub, Janssen (De Kogel 80), Rubin, Barazite (Antwi 69).

SUBS NOT USED: Verhoeven, Diemers, Sarota, Cortie, Hardeveld.

GOALS: Toornstra 64, De Kogel 88.

BOOKINGS: Ayoub 22.

WILLEM II: Meul, Cornelisse, D. Wuytens, Peters, Heymans, Haemhouts, Messaoud, S. Wuytens, Ondaan, Andrade (Vicento 72), Sahar (Van der Struijk 81).

SUBS NOT USED: Branderhorst, Heerkens, Sporkslede, Ippel, Vossebelt.

GOALS: Haemhouts 76.

BOOKINGS: Cornelisse 45.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jens Toornstra (FC Utrecht)

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 2: Sunday’s Preview and Betting Tips

August 17, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Another Eredivisie season is underway and after last weekend’s action in the opening round of fixtures, fans and lovers of the Dutch game can already be excited for the second round of action with some mouth-watering ties throughout the week. Ajax’s trip to AZ Alkmaar is no doubt however, the tie of the second round of fixtures. Will and Shane Burns (no relation) preview and supply betting tips for all four Sunday’s games.

SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST

AZ ALKMAAR vs. AJAX (11:30 BST)

AZ Alkmaar started the season in perfect form ahead of their clash with the champions after picking up a 0-3 victory over Heracles away from home. Alkmaar were under pressure prior to the game as it seen as crucial for the 2009 Eredivisie champions. After suffering a stunning eight defeats away from home last season, away form has been seen as the necessary point for achieving success this year in the Eredivisie by manager Marco van Basten.

Frank De Boer’s Ajax side are gaining a reputation throughout Holland and Europe as the most productive academy club in the world. Having spent only €4.5million this summer, De Boer seems determined to continue the growth of his Ajax side by producing both youth within their own academy and experience by buying from outside, and there’s no denying his successes. There’s no denying De Boer’s hunger for another Eredivisie crown as his Ajax side comfortably recorded their first victory of the season last week with a 4-1 victory over Vitesse, a side who have beaten Ajax in each of the last two seasons.

There’s no doubt that former AZ defender Nick Viergever, who moved to Ajax from Alkmaar in May, can expect a frosty reception when he returns to his former home this weekend. After some impressive performances for Van Basten’s side, De Boer acted quickly to sign up the defender and add him to his growing young Ajax side.

Former Dutch coach Van Basten has a few selection headaches for the match this weekend as both Viktor Elm and Derrick Luckassen are both injury concerns ahead of the arrival of champions Ajax. Van Basten recorded a comprehensive win last weekend and will be eager to inflict a dent into Ajax’s title challenge whilst maintaining their 100% start to the new season, and push for the title themselves.

Both incoming and outgoing transfers have been the main news this week regarding Ajax. The club is waiting on a response from Samuel Eto’o after the Amsterdam club offered the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona striker a lucrative deal to join the club. Daley Blind has attracted some of European football’s top clubs this week when he announced that it would be difficult to ignore an offer from one of Europe’s top clubs but quickly announced that he was fully focused on Ajax’s title defense.

Fortunately for Frank De Boer, last weekend’s victory over Vitesse has been backed up with an injury free week and has no fresh concerns over his selection for his side’s trip to Alkmaar. Both sides will go into the tie full of confidence which will hopefully leave fans of the Eredivisie ecstatic with the game of the week.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Ajax to win 2-0 (13/1 – Bet Victor)

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FC UTRECHT vs. WILLEM II (13:30 BST)

In the uninspiring match-up of the weekend, Willem II travel to Utrecht in a game that could prove to be influential in keeping either side in the league come May.

New Utrecht manager Rob Alflen suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Zwolle last weekend is hampered with six injuries for Sunday’s game. Defender Michael Zullo, midfielders Édouard Duplan, Tommy Oar, plus strikers Danny Verbeek, Gyliano van Velzen and Ruud Boymans all set to miss out the visit of Willem II.

The visitors coach Jurgen Streppel has his own problems after first-choice goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou was dismissed last weekend in the 3-1 defeat to PSV and on-loan defender Fabian Sporkslede is on the treatment table.

I see this game being a one of midfield battles and chances are rare. I have settled on either a 0-0 draw or the odd goal will steal it. Under 1.5 Goals is valued at 18/5 at Bet Victor and that is a price to good to ignore.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Under 1.5 Goals (18/5 – Bet Victor)

EXCELSIOR vs. GO AHEAD EAGLES (13:30 BST)

Last weekend Go Ahead Eagles threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to FC Groningen and will look for better fortunes away to Eredivisie newcomers Excelsior on Sunday afternoon.

Excelsior grabbed a great point away to relegation rivals NAC Breda last Saturday and will look to capitalise on that, however, they will have to cope with the bag of tricks Lesley de Sa in his arsenal he displayed last time out. De Sa, on a season long loan from Ajax, is one for the future but last weekend’s performance showed he could have a huge impact on Go Ahead’s season.

Last season, the Eagles had a poor away record and in the last 10 away matches in the league, they have failed to win nine of them, however I feel they could do well at Stadion Woudestein on Sunday. The Eagles are a massive 11/5 at Bet Victor and I see that as a great way to make a profit.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Go Ahead Eagles to win (11/5 – Bet Victor)

FC GRONINGEN vs. HERACLES (15:30 BST)

After contrasting results last weekend, Will Burns thinks FC Groningen will prove to be too strong for Heracles in Sunday’s last game.

Ironically this week, Edwin van Looi’s Groningen has been linked with a move for Heracles’ player of the season last year, Bryan Linssen as they look to replace Filip Kostic who moved onto Stuttgart earlier this month.

FC Groningen, despite Kostic leaving, has some great talent at their disposal this season. Tjaronn Chery, Danny Hoesen and Jarchinio Antonia all capable of grabbing goals when needed and if Eric Botteghin and Johan Kappelhof can keep Linssen quiet, the hosts should win easily. Groningen are valued correctly at 11/8 and this will be the best bet in this game.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Groningen to win (11/8 – Bet Victor)

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

EREDIVISIE: Willem II 1-3 PSV

August 10, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 2014

WILLEM II 1 – 3 PSV

Philip Cocu’s PSV was uninspiring away to Eredivisie new boys Willem II but still came away with a 3-1 win in the final game of the weekend.

PSV exploded out the blocks and harried Willem II into two defensive mistakes that resulted in two goals in the first ten minutes. First off, Kostas Lamprou making his debut for the Tilburg side since joining on loan from Feyenoord, dramatically rushed out of his goal on seven minutes to meet the ball a few yards outside of the area. After the keeper took an awful touch, the ball flick up in the air which allowed Jürgen Locadia to nod the ball out of the goalie’s path. The striker then aimed the ball towards goal and Jordan Peters hurried back but was unable to clear off the line and PSV were a goal ahead.

The lead was doubled minutes later after another horrific mistake. After a pass back went wrong from Robbie Haemhouts, Memphis Depay collected the ball twisted and turned the Willem II defence and place a low drive inside Lamprou’s post. The fans inside the Koning Willem II Stadion were booing, apart from the 500 PSV fans in the south east corner.

The Eindhoven side looked like they were going to go on a rout, however the Eredivisie newcomers collected themselves and put up a fight and even grabbed a goal back before the break. The exciting Terrel Ondaan got past Luuk de Jong on the right and fired in a low ball into the area. Brazilian striker Bruno Andrade collected the loose ball, spun his defender and finished from close range, a great goal.

The relegation contenders looked anything but after the goal as Cocu’s men were on the ropes and had Jeroen Zoet to thanks for retaining the lead. Before the break, the PSV keeper parried a great effort from long range by Ondaan.

After the interval, as the torrential rain came down, Willem II should have been level within eight minutes of the restart. Andrade whipped a vicious ball towards the back post from the right wing which Ben Sahar connected with his head and nodded back across goal. Belgian midfielder Stijn Wuytens was a metre out and headed the ball straight at Zoet, easy enough for the keeper to catch. A terrible miss by the former PSV midfielder.

Zoet held firm for the remainder of the game and PSV wrapped up the points with less than 15 minutes to go. Depay placed a perfect ball through to Georginio Wijnaldum in the area and the midfielder was tripped by Lamprou, who immediately received his marching orders from referee Kevin Blom. Depay easily dispatched the remaining penalty to seal the win.

TEAMS

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Peters, Ondaan (Vicento 67), Haemhouts, Messaoud, Andrade (Meul 75), Sahar (Ippel 80), D. Wuytens, Heymans, Cornelisse, S. Wuytens.

SUBS NOT USED: Heerkens, Vossebelt, Zanelli, Deckers.

GOALS: Andrade 40.

BOOKINGS: Messaoud 50, Andrade 61, Peters 68.

SENT OFF: Lamprou 73.

PSV: Zoet, Brenet, Bruma, Hendrix, Tamata, Maher (Ritzmaier 80), Wijnaldum, Hiljemark, Locadia (Narsingh 81), De Jong, Depay (Jozefzoon 85).

SUBS NOT USED: Pasveer, Arias, Vloet, Koch.

GOALS: Locadia 7, Depay 10 & 76P.

BOOKINGS: None.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Memphis Depay (PSV)

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 1: SUNDAY PREVIEW & BETTING TIPS

August 9, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Sunday sees the final four games of the first week of action as the big guns PSV, Ajax, Feyenoord and Vitesse begin their campaign. Will Burns to provide a preview and some betting tips – good luck.

SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST

ADO DEN HAAG vs. FEYENOORD (11:30 BST)

The very first Dutch game of the four-year Sky Sports deal will be a fierce battle between ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord.

This will be a tough test for Feyenoord, after the midweek exploits in Turkey, defeated by Beşiktaş 3-1 courtesy of a Demba Ba hat-trick. With a squad depleted after losing their leading scorer for the past two seasons and three of their representatives at this summer’s World Cup, Fred Rutten has a major job on his hands if he wishes to try steering Feyenoord to a title challenge this term. Signing Heerenveen winger Bilal Basacikoglu was a good start and the thought of Jean-Paul Boëtius on opposite wings is a mouth-watering prospect. Problem is the lack of strikers to cross the ball to. Apart from an uninspiring Mitchell te Vrede in the lone striker role, Elvis Manu, scorer in midweek, will be in Rutten’s mind and may get a start.

ADO manager Henk Fraser has been impressive since taking over midway through last season. Boasting an undefeated record of 11 of their last 12 matches, they head into Sunday’s game with confidence and some good new faces. Xander Houtkoop had a fantastic season at Go Ahead Eagles last year. Twenty four-year-old goalkeeper Martin Hansen, a former Liverpool youth excelled in the Danish league over last two season at Viborg FF and FC Nordsjælland. Finally, experienced Danish international midfielder Thomas Kristensen arrives after six success filled seasons at FC København. All three are set to start, however, the biggest news of the summer for ADO is that young highly-rated striker Mike van Duinen is still at the club.

With the tiredness and exhaustion from the midweek travel and mood affecting the result of the game, I cannot see Feyenoord walking out of the Kyocera Stadion with a win. I feel ADO will be set-up a fresher team and ready to exploit any weakness they find. Rutten will be hoping to get the season going but I feel Fraser’s side will hold the Rotterdammers to a draw.

RECCOMMENDED BET

Draw (3/1 – Bet Victor)

GO AHEAD EAGLES vs. FC GRONINGEN (13:30 BST)

After a disappointing European adventure in the summer, Groningen began their league campaign in Deventer on Sunday afternoon away to Go Ahead Eagles.

A load of players to look out for in this game, Eagles have borrowed a couple from Ajax and both should be on the teamsheet. Young goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart started 27 games in the Eerste Divisie last year for Jong Ajax. Exciting winger Lesly de Sa also appeared for Jong Ajax last term, scoring seven goals in 17 starts. Another definite starter should be left-back Giliano Wijnaldum, brother of Georginio, who signed from Sunday’s opponents FC Groningen. Another two, who could also feature is striker Alex Schalk, signed on a free from NAC Breda and midfielder Peter van Ooijen who arrived from PSV Eindhoven.

Edwin van der Looi brought many exciting reinforcements into Groningen this summer. Danny Hoesen signed on a permanent deal from Ajax, as Richairo Zivkovic went to other way. Signing from Go Ahead, Jarchinio Antonia should start against his former club and possibly haunt them with his right-wing attacks. Big defender Martijn van der Laan arrived from Cambuur and goalkeeper Sergio Padt came from Jupiler Pro side AA Gent as Marco Bizot went the opposite direction to Belgium. All of these players will add some great depth to an already strong squad.

I predict this match could provide a lot of goals and could be the game of the round. Adelaarshorst is a challenging venue for any team but Groningen should have sufficient quality to be able to hold off their opponents to at least claim a point in this one.

RECCOMMENDED BET

Draw (13/5- Bet Victor)

AJAX vs. VITESSE ARNHEM (13:30 BST)

Defending champions Ajax will be out for blood against Vitesse on Sunday after spending all week licking their wounds from last weekend’s Johan Cruijff Schaal defeat in their own backyard to PEC Zwolle.

Undefeated in the last 22 games in the league, Ajax will be vying to keep the run going and get off to a good start on Sunday. World Cup trio, Jasper Cillessen, Joël Veltman and Daley Blind have returned to full training this week after being given extended leave once their involvement in Brazil concluded. It is very unlikely that they will be named in the starting line-up against Vitesse, so in their absence Kenneth Vermeer, Mike van der Hoorn and summer signing from AZ, Nick Viergever should stand in. Elsewhere, Frank de Boer could hand a debut to young Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik, who was loaned from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen last month.

Peter Bosz will be looking for a change in fortune as his side have lost their last four away matches in the league, but he could not have asked for a harder first game than a trip to the Amsterdam ArenA. Preparations for the new season as usual, have seen Chelsea reserve players have made the switch from Stamford Bridge for the forthcoming season. Burkina Faso international midfielder Bertrand Traoré and Brazilian full-back Wallace have made the move over to Arnhem. Vitesse has strengthened their attacking options bringing in striker Abiola Dauda, who has a great goalscoring record at both Kalmar (Sweden) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia).

One player who may lead the team to greatness this year has not been mentioned by many pundits but insiders have told me he will make a major impact in the Eredivisie. Arriving early in the window was Denys Oliynyk from Dnipro on a two-year deal. The Ukrainian international was once considered to be one of the most talented players of his generation, however, he has only played 13 games in the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see what happens with this player if he makes the first team.

Ajax will be looking to explode out of the blocks in front of their own crowd to make amends from last weekend’s disappointment; however Vitesse will be prepared for this. Without their World Cup stars, I’m predicting Ajax will find this game a struggle and the draw is my recommended bet.

RECCOMMENDED BET

Draw (33/10 – Bet Victor)

WILLEM II vs. PSV (15:30 BST)

PSV Eindhoven was in Austria this past Thursday to advance to the next round of the Europa League qualifiers, while Willem II would have been resting up preparing for this game, in their return to the Eredivisie.

PSV enter this game with a fantastic head-to-head record, having won their last 17 matches against Willem II in all competitions and I cannot see the streak being broken. Philip Cocu’s men should get the season underway with a hefty victory over Jurgen Streppel’s side. New striker Luuk de Jong has already notched this year in the Europa League and with most wanted Memphis Depay returning from a fantastic World Cup ready to fire PSV to a title challenge. I fail to see the likes of Jordan Peters and Tim Cornelisse keeping them at bay.

Our best bet will be PSV -1 which means we need the Eindhoven side to win by two clear goals to win the bet.