FC Eindhoven players and staff are struggling to think aloud about promotion to the Eredivisie, but came a step closer on Friday after a 3-1 win over De Graafschap. The team of coach Rob Penders did not survive two play-offs to return to the highest level after 45 years.
“Everyone laughed at us at the beginning of this season,” says FC Eindhoven captain Mawouna Amevor about his chances of promotion. ESPN† “Nevertheless, we have already shown in the competition that we can do something. I hope we can continue like this for two more rounds.”
FC Eindhoven, which only played in the Eredivisie from 1975 to 1977, was the surprise of the Kitchen Champion Division this season. The club finished third behind two newly emerging clubs FC Emmen and FC Volendam, and on Friday evening De Graafschap was decided to return from the first round of the play-offs with a much bigger budget.
“The season was already good and now we continue that in the play-offs,” Amevor continues. “We played very hesitantly against De Graafschap in the first game (1-1, note from the editors), but in the return he was already better. We can do better, but in the play-offs it all depends on the result. Coming is the most important thing.”
The Jan Louwers stadium was sold out on Friday for a comeback against De Graafschap.
The Jan Louwers stadium was sold out on Friday for a comeback against De Graafschap.
Photographer: professional shoots
“We played very good football”
Coach Penders enjoyed his team’s game in the Jan Louwers Stadium on Friday-evening in the first half hour. Thanks to Eindhoven goals from Justin Ogenia, Charles-Andreas Brym and Joey Sleegers, the home team was already ahead 3-1 after 24 minutes and that was it.
“We played very well in this stadium. Then there were times when we had a hard time. We gave more chances than we wanted, but our goalkeeper Nigel Bertrams kept us going.”
In the semi-finals of the play-offs, FC Eindhoven will compete against the winner of the duo between ADO Den Haag and NAC Breda. Hagenaars won 1-2 in Breda on Tuesday and the comeback will take place on Saturday in Cars Jeans Stadium.
Penders has no preference. “ADO and NAC are not that different from each other. Looking at the match results, NAC suits us better, but in the play-offs everything is different.”
Source: NU
Jason Jack is an experienced technology journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in computer science and engineering, he has a deep understanding of the latest technology trends and developments. He writes about a wide range of technology topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cybersecurity.
