Lars Capiau
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FC Groningen has qualified for the semi-finals of the TOTO KNVB Cup at the expense of Fortuna Sittard. After a blood-curdling penalty shootout, Dick Lukkien's team came out on top with a 0-0 final score. With SC Cambuur, NEC and Feyenoord they now have to decide who will take home the pine cone.
Both teams had a Duarte in the match selection. At FC Groningen, Laros Duarte was a basic customer, while Deroy Duarte had to make do with a substitute appearance at Fortuna. Michael Verrips, who was remarkably enough rented by FC Groningen at the start of the season, defended the Limburgers' goal. Both teams entered the playing field and the home team was supported by a great atmosphere.
FC Groningen's atmospheric action prior to the cup match with Fortuna Sittard.
Laros Duarte was on behalf of The Pride of the North quickly came close to an opening goal. The midfielder was allowed to line up for a free kick, and did an excellent job. However, his attempt crashed onto the crossbar.
On the other hand, Fortuna also created the first good chance of the match about five minutes later. Kaj Sierhuis (ex-FC Groningen) sees a cross coming from the right side and decides to take a swing, but finds the gloves of goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus.
In minute 26, Fortuna looked dangerous again. After a lightning-fast counter, Inigo Cordoba suddenly had a good chance to score the opening goal, but he was not focused and squandered the opportunity.
A hard shot from Justin Lonwijk was then nicely tapped out of the goal by Jurjus, after which Romano Postema hit the post on behalf of the home team. After a great individual action by Luciano Valente, the striker, who is in great form, sent the ball just too far to the corner.
After a threatening corner ultimately yielded nothing for Fortuna, Dennis Higler blew the whistle before half time. An exciting first half was followed by a very tame second act. There were hardly any significant opportunities to be noted and both teams did not seem to want to concede a goal.
And so attentive spectator Arjen Robben watched as extra time was needed to decide a nerve-wracking quarter-final. In the stone-cold Euroborg, substitute Kristoffer Peterson thought he could provide Limburg euphoria for a moment, but Jurjus intervened adequately.
While cramps and other injuries bothered Fortuna, Groningen took control in the second half of extra time. However, Danny Buijs' team reached the penalty shootout on the last minute and even had a chance to score the winning goal from a free kick. FC Groningen also got that, via Rui Mendes.
However, nail-biting spectators had to watch as penalties would provide a solution. Oguzhan Özyakup missed the second penalty on behalf of Fortuna, but a third penalty from Valente was saved by Verrips. However, Mouhamed Belkheir missed the fifth penalty on behalf of Fortuna, and Groningen was the last to qualify for the semi-finals.
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