FC Twente only half benefits from AZ's mistake in a spectacle in Heerenveen

FC Twente only half benefited on Wednesday from the misstep of pursuer AZ, which was beaten 5-0 by Heracles Almelo. The team of coach Joseph Oosting led 1-3 against SC Heerenveen, but nevertheless left the field with a 3-3 draw. Number three Twente is therefore five points above AZ and still has the best credentials for a ticket for the preliminary round of the Champions League.

It was a particularly lively first half in the Abe Lenstra Stadium, where Myron Boadu could not take action due to injuries. The experienced Ricky van Wolfswinkel (35) replaced him at the front at Twente. The latter promptly opened the scoring in the eleventh minute. Daan Rots had a nice through ball in store and the seasoned striker then shot into the far corner: 0-1. A milestone for Van Wolfswinkel, because it was the 200th goal of his career.

Rots, who scored Twente's opening goal, doubled the lead two minutes later. The agile wing attacker took full advantage of Heerenveen's weak defense and then scored via the inside of the post: 0-2. A dramatic start for the Frisians, although the tying goal was not long in coming.

A cross from Osame Sahraoui eventually ended up with Ion Nicolaescu, who headed in convincingly: 1-2. Twente doubled the margin in the very interesting final phase of the first half. A corner kick extended by Rots was tapped in from close range by Robin Pröpper. Both teams went into the break with a 2-3 score, as Sahraoui left Lars Unnerstall without a chance with a great shot from the edge of the box.

Heerenveen coach Kees van Wonderen made a double substitution halfway through. The accurate Nicolaescu and Loizos Loizou made way for Patrik Walemark and Pelle van Amersfoort. Van Amersfoort's contribution turned out to be a golden opportunity. His effort shortly after half-time went over through Pröpper's hand and after a check by the VAR the ball was placed on the spot. Thom Haye then leveled the score from eleven meters: 3-3.

A downer for Twente, which could have taken the lead again fifteen minutes before the end of the spectacle. Sem Steijn only appeared for Mickey van der Hart, who kept Heerenveen on their feet with a great save. The failing Steijn was promptly substituted, with Naci Ünüvar as his replacement.

What happened to Steijn also happened to substitute Ünüvar. The attacking midfielder went alone at Van der Hart, but shot miserably wide. Disbelief and disappointment in the final phase at Twente, which had to settle for a point in the spectacular meeting with Heerenveen.

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