Sportlust ’46 grabs period title in third division A after a bizarre denouement

This is how the absolute final phase at Sportlust ’46 sounded, through the eyes of reporter Menno Schilder

Due to an injury treatment by referee Schaper and an apparently serious injury to Mitchell van der Veer, the opening phase had some delays. After half an hour Sportlust’46 took the lead. Striker Mark van der Weijden made a nice free shot and scored with the right: 1-0.

But despite the fact that trainer Patrick Loenen’s team reigned on the field, it still went to rest with 1-1. It was Ahmed Abdallah al Mahdi who scored the equalizer four minutes before the break. Because it was also tied at halftime with competitors Excelsior’31 (0-0), DVS’33 (0-0) and Sparta Nijkerk (1-1), FC Lisse was virtual period champion at that time.

After the break, Sportlust started chasing the lead, but it was a long wait. Only ten minutes before the end Mo Bendadi found the net: 2-1. That was not enough for the period title, because Sparta Nijkerk (1-3 win at GOES) and Excelsior’31 (0-2 win at DOVO) had a margin of two goals at that time.

With a last all-or-nothing attempt, Sportlust’46 still managed to grab the period title. Via substitute Fouad Belarbi the ball ended up in the goal, which meant the 3-1 deep into injury time. After Loenen and his selection received confirmation from Radio M Utrecht reporter Menno Schilder, the party started.

Sportlust’46 now also occupies the leading position in the regular competition. The Woerdenaren have 29 points from 14 matches, just like FC Lisse and Sparta Nijkerk. Those teams just have a less goal difference.

Sportlust’46 – ODIN’59 (Third division A)
31′ Mark van der Weijden (1-0)
41′ Ahmed Abdallah al Mahdi (1-1)
80′ Mo Bendadi (2-1)
90′ Fouad Belarbi (3-1)

DOVO had the better of the game in the first half. Florian Wolf saw his team create more chances than the much higher placed Excelsior’31, which thus seemed to have little claim to the victory and the eventual period title.

The visitors showed themselves more in the second half, although DOVO didn’t just let it happen. In the absolute final phase, the Veenendalers conceded two goals. First it was Sander Thomas and then Givan Werkhoven who outwitted Jeroen Vrolijk.

Excelsior’31 was allowed to hope for the period title at the final signal, but then the 3-1 had to fall at Sportlust. The team from Rijssen stranded in second place in the period title, based on two fewer goals scored.

Due to the loss, DOVO is now fifteenth in the third division A, with 13 points from as many matches.

“In the last phase it was a shame, because we were close to a goal,” says trainer Florian Wolf afterwards. “We should not foul there, but there was nothing wrong. And then that free kick is shot in. We had to cherish every point. They had to, but the 0-1 came out of the blue.”

“There is no panic in the tent. We always have a chance, also against Sportlust next week. But we can be resilient against any other team. And we will not be relegated,” said Wolf.

Rodny Hofman: “I’m pretty good at it”

Rodny Hofman returned to DOVO this winter, after ten years. “I’m pretty happy with it, if you give it away like that, when it wasn’t necessary… That’s super sour”, he says.

DOVO – Excelsior’31 (Third division A)
87′ Sander Thomas (0-1)
90′ Givan Werkhoven (0-2)