Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 2:08 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 14:24

FC Groningen again failed to win in the Eredivisie. The team of trainer Danny Buijs was stuck at home in a 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk. Michiel Kramer seemed to be the man of the match for a long time, but had to watch as substitute Jörgen Strand Larsen saved a point for the Groningers in the final phase. Before the start of the game in the Euroborg, the farewell of Arjen Robben was extensively discussed. The attacker decided to end his career last summer and was thanked for services rendered. Due to the division of points, both teams are stuck on eleven points from twelve matches.

The Waalwijkers undoubtedly traveled to Groningen with great confidence, as no team scored more points in the Eredivisie than against Buijs’s team. The team from Brabant managed to win 65 points in the previous 45 matches. Moreover, Groningen only managed to win twice this season, against AZ and SC Cambuur. The home team also quickly came under pressure on Sunday afternoon, when Saïd Bakari could barely be stopped by goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh in the early stages of the game. On the other hand, Tomás Suslov appeared dangerously in front of RKC’s goal, but his shot was blocked by Shawn Adewoye.

After fifteen minutes of play, RKC still took the lead. After a quick restart by goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, Jens Odgaard released Kramer for Leeuwenburgh with a cross ball. The striker did not fail and hit the left corner: 0-1. It took until the injury time of the first half until Groningen did something in return. After a cross from Cyril Ngonge, Bart van Hintum saw his attempt barely stopped by Vaessen. The RKC goalie was also well positioned at the start of the second half, when Suslov tried unsuccessfully with a volley.

In the second act little changed in the game image. Groningen remained vulnerable defensively and had to see how Bakari could only just be stopped after an hour of play when he only went to Leeuwenburgh. Buijs then intervened and brought Strand Larsen in line for Daleho Irandust, among others. RKC seemed to decide the game not much later via Bakari, who saw a cross changed direction by Marin Sverko, but his effort ended up on the roof of the goal. When Groningen raised itself once more in the final phase, the point followed. After a cross from the right side of the field by Mohamed El Hankouri, Strand Larsen slid in: 1-1.