UTRECHT – Rick Kruys just failed to win his first match as interim coach of FC Utrecht. The 36-year-old former midfielder saw his team give away a lead at RKC in injury time: 1-1. Michiel Kramer headed in for the home team through the inside of the post.
Kruys is the successor of René Hake, who had to leave due to disappointing results. Dick Advocaat was also in the stands in Waalwijk. The former national coach will act as a ‘sounding board’ for Kruys in the remaining games of this season. “1-1 is very sour. We should have just rewarded ourselves. Whether I’m tired? No, not now, I’m still full of emotion, but that will come.”
The highlights of RKC – FC Utrecht
Kruys and Advocaat saw RKC take the lead in the 6th minute. Melle Meulensteen’s goal was rejected because Kramer committed a foul. FC Utrecht then took control of the game. After half an hour of play, RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen made a clever save on a header from Tasos Douvikas.
Rick Kruys after his debut as head coach
Powder from Timber breaks the ban
Shortly afterwards it was hit. Utrecht switched quickly after a corner kick by RKC. Quinten Timber scored effectively: 0-1. Willem Janssen, who played his 250th official game for Utrecht, took care of the break in a beautiful way for the 0-2. That goal was canceled due to offside. “I already thought I was offside, but he was indeed very beautiful.”
“We had a lot of control today”, captain Janssen reacted. “We only had a hard time at the beginning. We should have made it 2-0, 3-0. Then it’s done.” Janssen is a lot happier than a few weeks ago when his role seemed over. “But damn it, we should have won.”
René van den Berg in conversation with Willem Janssen
Timber then injured his ankle and was unable to continue. “It doesn’t feel right now, we have taped the ankle. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow, but I think I’ll be back next week.” FC Utrecht also had many opportunities without the Utrechter, but did not score anymore.
This is the way we have to move on
Simon Gustafson should also have scored, but the Swede, who played a good game, chose to serve Sylla. “It’s always difficult afterwards. At that moment I thought Moussa was in better shape, afterwards maybe it wasn’t. That’s football. You make decisions in a split second. It’s annoying that we didn’t win, but we had again having fun in the field. That’s important.”
René van den Berg looks back with Simon Gustafson
RKC was powerless for a long time after the break, until Kramer unexpectedly scored. Utrecht remains seventh with 41 points. RKC has 28 points and seems increasingly on the way to self-preservation.
Quinten Timber thinks he can play again next week
“The boys played very well. We were only surprised by Kramer. That was not allowed. But this is the way we should continue. I saw energy, we played as a team, we just forgot to reward ourselves. “
RKC – FC Utrecht 1-1
0-1 Quinten Timber 34′
1-1 Michael Kramer 91′
Due to the draw, FC Utrecht has as many points as Vitesse in sixth place. The Arnhem team lost to AZ 3-1. FC Utrecht has played a match less than Vitesse.