NOS Football•yesterday, 10:55 PM
View the summary of FC Utrecht – RKC Waalwijk
It was not convincing, but undefeated FC Utrecht took the sixth victory of the season at the expense of RKC Waalwijk. For the sixth time it was a victory with one goal difference: 3-2.
With its undefeated status after seven games from the start of a premier league season, FC Utrecht set a new club record. In the 1984/1985 season, the Domstedelingen remained undefeated in the first six Premier League matches, after which a defeat against MVV (0-1) followed.
With the eighth defeat in a row, RKC equaled the longest losing streak of a club since the start of a Premier League season. FC Volendam (1963/1964) and MVV (1968/1969) also never had a single point after eight Premier League matches.
The contrast could hardly be greater. FC Utrecht had a strong start to the season with five wins and one draw and provisional second place in the Premier League. It was doom and gloom for bottom RKC with seven defeats in the previous seven matches.
Red Meijers after lightning start RKC
But it was RKC that took an early lead in the Cathedral City. Denilho Cleonise received the ball from Tim van de Loo, rounded Souffian El Karouani and scored in the short corner in the second minute.
The goal gave RKC confidence and the Waalwijkers’ game looked good in the opening phase. In the 26th minute, Henk Fraser was nevertheless able to throw his plan in the trash. It was the experienced Aaron Meijers who made the mistake.
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Pro Shots
Aaron Meijers’ red-punished persuasion on Ole Romeny -
Pro Shots
Meijers leaves the field with a red card -
Pro Shots
David Min shouts out after the 3-1
Meijers hit Ole Romeny full on the shin with an unnecessary and stupid tackle and had to leave the field with a red card. RKC’s ten team held out for two minutes. Then, in his 350th Premier League match, Nick Viergever headed the 1-1 from a cross by El Karouani past goalkeeper Yanick van Osch, who was preferred to Jeroen Houwen under the crossbar at RKC.
Utrecht strikes shortly after halftime
Shortly after the break, Utrecht took distance. RKC player Yassin Oukili failed to clear and Paxten Aaronson, who also scored against AZ last week, struck mercilessly. Seventeen seconds after kick-off, David Min scored the 3-1 against his old club.
The match seemed to be over fifteen minutes after halftime. Yet RKC came back. A slight foul by Utrecht defender Mike van der Hoorn on Daouda Weidmann earned the visitors a penalty.
Substitute Richonell Margaret shot the penalty convincingly and gave RKC hope of a point. Fraser brought Mohamed Ihattaren into the team for the closing minutes, but to no avail. A point was not possible for RKC.
With the fifth victory in a row, Ron Jans’ FC Utrecht equaled the club’s longest winning streak in the Premier League. They also won five times in a row in November-December 2000 (under coach Frans Adelaar) and April-August 2017 (under coach Erik ten Hag).
Watch the reactions of RKC coach Henk Fraser, Utrecht coach Ron Jans and Utrecht striker David Min below:
