The new season in the Kitchen Champion Division kicked off on Friday evening. Willem II got no further than a 1-1 draw in a heated duel with Jong PSV, while NAC Breda was too strong for Helmond Sport in the other North Brabant derby 1-0. In the third provincial derby of the evening, FC Eindhoven won 1-3 against FC Den Bosch.
Willem II – Young PSV 1-1
Willem II is seen as one of the favorites to promote to the Eredivisie after this season, but did not get further than a 1-1 draw against Jong PSV at home. With the visitors from Eindhoven, acquisitions Jarrad Branthwaite and Sávio were in the base. The latter was close to scoring twice in the first half, but lacked fortune in finishing. However, Jong PSV only took the lead in the second half, when Mathijs Tielemans curled the ball into the cross from just outside the penalty area. Willem II seemed shaken up, made the 1-1 via Max Svensson seven minutes later, but was unable to close his first KKD match since 2014 with a victory.
NAC Breda – Helmond Sport 1-0
Debuting NAC coach Robert Molenaar saw his team start the new season with a victory. At home, NAC was 1-0 too strong for Helmond Sport, which finished last season as last season. Odysseus Velanas scored the only goal in the 53rd minute. He received the ball in the penalty area by Alex Plat, turned away from his opponent and was able to score the 1-0. Helmond Sport, which had been dangerous a few times in the first half via Martijn Kaars, was unable to create any serious chances after that and so the season started in minor. NAC ended the game with ten men, after Kaj de Rooij received his second yellow card in the 83rd minute.
FC Dordrecht – Roda JC 0-2
Roda JC had a carefree start to the new football season. On a visit to the Krommedijk, the number five of last KKD season won 0-2 against FC Dordrecht. After fifteen minutes of play, the completely detached Bryan Limbombe promoted a low cross from Dylan Vente to assist by placing the ball in the long corner. Fifteen minutes later, Roda JC hit again: a corner landed at the feet of defender Guus Joppen, who hit from close range. Boubakar Camara seemed to ease the tension just before half-time by making the 1-2, but his goal was disallowed for offside. Both teams did not create much in the second half, as a result of which the 0-2 final score had already been reached at halftime.
FC Den Bosch – FC Eindhoven 1-3
FC Eindhoven had little trouble with FC Den Bosch on Friday evening. Jasper Dahlhaus was able to open the score on behalf of FC Eindhoven after about twenty seconds, but his attempt failed. However, Eindhoven did not have to wait long for a goal. Naoufal Bannis scored in the eighth minute after the former Feyenoord player got the ball in the mix at his feet. Collin Seedorf’s 0-2 soon followed after a tight cross. Bannis took care of the third Eindhoven goal a little later via a penalty kick. After the break, the home team came out of the dressing room better and they managed to score the 1-3 via Anass Ahannach. However, a positive result was no longer possible for Den Bosch.
TOP Oss – Young FC Utrecht 3-0
TOP Oss has also made an excellent start to the new season. Jearl Margaritha opened the score on behalf of the home team in the eleventh minute. He got rid of Joshua Rawlins with a nice haircut, after which his shot Jong FC Utrecht goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie was too powerful: 1-0. Five minutes before the break, the home team doubled the lead via a penalty kick. Justin Mathieu hit the mark, despite Raatsie ducking into the right corner. The final chord was also played by Mathieu, who was again accurate from eleven meters in the final phase: 3-0.
VVV-Venlo – Almere City FC 3-0
The home side opened the scoring in the seventh minute. A cross from Simon Janssen reached the head of Rick Ketting, who cleared the ball for Kees de Boer. The latter completed in a cool way: 1-0. Rick Kruys’ team took a 2-0 lead after a used penalty by Sven Braken. The reason for the penalty kick was debatable, as Braken seemed to let himself fall easily. Nevertheless, referee Laurens Gerrets pointed to the spot, after which the striker shot flawlessly. After the break, VVV was no longer in danger. In the seventieth minute, a bet by Yahcuroo Roemer was too powerful for Almere City’s defense: an attempt to clear the ball led to an own goal by Damian van Bruggen 3-0.
Voetbalzone is the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division
Click here for exclusive interviews, talent scouts, current positions and the program on our Kitchen Champion Division page.