SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2014
HERACLES 1 – 4 FC TWENTE
FC Twente put in a convincing away performance to defeat bottom side Heracles, who started well, but faded, with a two minute period at the end of the second half killing the contest writes Jake Jackman.
In the opening exchanges, neither side could fashion a real clear cut chance, despite the positive intent from Heracles against a strong FC Twente side. The away side started with lots of attacking talent with the likes of Luc Castaignos, Ryo Miyaichi and Hakim Ziyech, all who can cause significant damage to opposition sides.
The first came after Ziyech played a nice forward pass to Kyle Ebecilio, who had space in the final third, but he could only fire his shot off target. Twente continued to push for the opening goal, but exceptional defending from the home side saw three promising positions from Twente prevented, with some brilliant last ditch defending. The home side then went straight up the other end, with Thomas Bruns playing a nice ball to Wout Weghorst in space, who duly went on the slot the ball past Nick Marsman.
It wasn’t long until the away side equalised, after a block fell kindly for Luc Castaignos, who finished well, a forward of his quality was never going to let a chance like that pass. Although he has always had a big reputation as a player, who had good potential, Ryo Miyaichi was continuing to waste good positions. The home side failed to retake the lead, after Rasmus Bengtsson mis-kicked, allowing Bryan Linssen to find Oussama Tannane, who fired wide from a great position.
As Heracles were preparing to go into half time level, Luc Castaignos scored his second of the afternoon as he headed home from a decent cross provided by Jesus Manuel Corona.
If this wasn’t bad enough for the home side, Twente scored again just moments later through a brilliant finish from Hakim Ziyech as Twente really started to make their quality count. It was perhaps harsh on Heracles, who played well in the first half, but it was certainly Twente who had the better chances and they made those count.
The second half started the same way as the first with very few clear cut chances as Twente looked happy to hold on to what they already had. Bryan Linssen had the first clear cut chance but his shot missed the target. Heracles were doing all of the running and the ball fell kindly for Simon Cziommer who fried straight at Nick Marsman. Despite the pressing from the home side, Twente quickly added a fourth as substitute Youness Mokhtar finished smartly after some good approach play. Iliass Bel Hassani had a late chance, but it would have counted for nothing anyway.
This was certainly a clinical performance from FC Twente and it has shown them as a dangerous side, who will cause a lot of problems this season. Their attack is very potent and they have the ability to finish in the higher positions, especially if Luc Castaignos keeps up the form he showed today. Heracles continued their disastrous start, and they still sit bottom with 0 points. They started well today, but look very vulnerable at the back, they are set to face a serious relegation fight, unless things improve.
TEAMS
HERACLES: Telgenkamp, Schenkeveld (Koenders 53), Veldmate, Engberink, Te Wierik, Bruns (Bel Hassani 68), Pelupessy, Fledderus (Cziommer 46), Linssen, Weghorst, Tannane.
SUBS NOT USED: Navratil, Sibum, Paljic, Fij.
GOALS: Weghorst 16.
BOOKINGS: None.
TWENTE: Marsman, Martina, Bjelland, Schilder, Bengtsson (Breukers 73), Ebecilio, Ziyech (Eghan 80), Mokotjo, Corona, Miyaichi (Mokhtar 68), Castaignos.
SUBS NOT USED: Stevens, Lachman, Koppers, Børven.
GOALS: Castaignos 24 & 33, Ziyech 44, Mokhtar 74.
BOOKINGS: None.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jesús Manuel Corona (FC Twente)
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