With the sound of the referee's whistle, amid the deafening cheers shaking De Adelaarshorst, the decisive match between Go Ahead Eagles and FC Volendam officially began!
Both teams played cautiously in the early minutes of the match.
FC Volendam chose to defend tightly, while Go Ahead Eagles actively organized attacks, relying on their attacking trio to test the opponent's defense.
The midfielders didn't push forward immediately, as they were also wary of Volendam's quick counter-attacks.
On the other hand, Arghana was the player who caught the most attention in Go Ahead Eagles' attacking efforts.
He frequently supported the ball movement in the front, running quickly into the penalty box whenever there was a chance.
Although the success of his attempts wasn't immediately apparent, at least he made the Volendam defense feel pressured.
Even after Volendam successfully defended, Arghana immediately dropped back to midfield.
If the opponent built an attack from the right, he could chase back to the defense!
His defensive contributions solidified Go Ahead Eagles' midfield.
The pressure he applied from the back made Volendam's right-wing attacks difficult to develop.
In the 15th minute, there hadn't been a single shot on target from either team.
The battle mostly took place in midfield, and whenever Go Ahead Eagles entered the danger zone in front of the opponent's goal, they were immediately surrounded effectively.
Go Ahead Eagles started to increase the tempo of the game.
Deniz Türüç and Quincy Promes alternated their runs toward Volendam's penalty box, making the attacking flow more continuous.
However, FC Volendam appeared very experienced.
Their defensive line retreated to the penalty box to narrow down the opponent's space, while five of their midfielders crowded the area in front of the penalty box.
The number of fouls started to increase from both teams.
FC Volendam committed quick fouls whenever they lost the ball to stop Go Ahead Eagles' attacks from developing.
They also ensured fouls occurred as far from dangerous areas as possible.
On the other hand, Go Ahead Eagles also committed tactical fouls to stop Volendam's counter-attacks.
In the 30th minute,
Go Ahead Eagles began to rely on crosses from both wings.
However, since their full-backs were still cautious in supporting attacks, the options in the penalty box were limited.
Whether Arghana sent a cross from the left or Quincy Promes carried the ball from the right, only Xander Houtkoop was in the center to meet the ball, making their attacks difficult to finish.
In the 40th minute, Khalid Karami advanced to support the attack.
He combined with Quincy Promes in a quick one-two, then broke to the byline before delivering a cross.
In the penalty box, Xander Houtkoop tried to meet the ball in front of the goal, while Quincy Promes also moved to the near post. And Arghana ran to the far post, ready to pounce on the ball!
However, Khalid Karami's cross was cleared with a header by Volendam's central defender, Henny Schilder.
Go Ahead Eagles' supporters in the stands were momentarily disappointed but still optimistic.
However, after the ball was cleared forward, FC Volendam immediately launched a rapid counter-attack with a direct pass and quick movement!
They didn't attack from the right, as Brandley Kuwas had lost the ball several times due to pressure from Arghana.
Instead, Raymond Fafiani on the left took advantage as Khalid Karami was slow to get back defensively.
When Raymond Fafiani dribbled the ball to the edge of Go Ahead Eagles' penalty box, central defender Cendrino Misidjan stepped up to close down his space.
But Raymond Fafiani cleverly sent a low diagonal pass into the left side of the penalty box.
There, Michiel Kramer, FC Volendam's top scorer, was ready to receive the ball.
Captain Xandro Schenk tightly marked him, but when Michiel Kramer received the ball, he suddenly stopped and cut inside.
Xandro Schenk thought Kramer would shoot immediately, so he reacted too quickly to close off the shooting angle.
However, Michiel Kramer easily bypassed him!
A huge danger!
Michiel Kramer moved towards the penalty spot.
Goalkeeper Nick Marsman rushed out to close down the shooting angle, but Michiel Kramer calmly pushed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net!
GOOOAAALLL!!!
The ball rolled past Nick Marsman and into the back of Go Ahead Eagles' net!
The away supporters' stands erupted!
Michiel Kramer opened his arms and ran towards Volendam's supporters, enjoying the victorious cheers from his fans!
On the sideline, coach Hans de Koning clenched his fist with passion.
FC Volendam took the lead, Go Ahead Eagles' dream in danger!
Michiel Kramer scored!
With remarkable calmness, he outwitted Xandro Schenk and beat goalkeeper Nick Marsman!
FC Volendam now led at De Adelaarshorst!
With an aggregate score of 3-2, Go Ahead Eagles needed to respond quickly to secure promotion!
De Adelaarshorst went quiet.
This goal could be a devastating blow to Go Ahead Eagles!
Will their dream of promotion, 17 years in the making, end in front of their supporters?
Will all their efforts over the past nine games be in vain?
Xander Houtkoop seemed to try to hide his frustration after conceding the goal.
He casually ran his hand through his hair, as if trying to calm himself, even though his hairstyle remained neat.
He then clapped his hands to encourage his teammates to stay calm and focused, despite the setback.
However, his slightly stiff expression clearly showed the tension he was feeling.
In the stands, Go Ahead Eagles' supporters were stunned!
The cheers that had been echoing through De Adelaarshorst abruptly stopped.
Not because they didn't expect their team to fall behind first, but because from the start, they didn't want to consider this negative scenario—even though the possibility had always been there!
What must they do now?
They need to equalize and must not concede again to stay in the promotion race!
However, so far, Go Ahead Eagles have struggled to break down Volendam's defense.
Not because they played poorly, but because FC Volendam defended so tightly!
With the strength they have, FC Volendam executed a "bus parking" strategy very efficiently.
At this level, only a few teams can break down such a defense.
And unfortunately, objectively speaking, Go Ahead Eagles is not one of those teams.
Captain Xandro Schenk had no issues with aerial duels, but he was slightly weak when facing nimble attackers.
This time, he was deceived and had to watch his opponent score.
However, he couldn't entirely absolve himself of responsibility for that goal.
Still, he stood tall, staring ahead with courage!
In the hearts of Go Ahead Eagles' players, disappointment was certainly present.
However, now was not the time to give up!
De Adelaarshorst roared again!
Go Ahead Eagles' supporters did not lose hope!
If the supporters kept believing, how could the players give up on the field?
After the kick-off, Go Ahead Eagles continued with high spirits, trying to break down FC Volendam's defense.
However, the results were almost nil.
FC Volendam defended flawlessly, closing all gaps, and Go Ahead Eagles' attacks faltered.
The referee blew the half-time whistle, ending the first half!
If Go Ahead Eagles don't find a solution soon or at least equalize, their spirit will slowly die in the face of FC Volendam's strong defense!