Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 4:31 PM• Dominic Mostert

PEC Zwolle has won the last league game of the season. Coach Bert Konterman’s team won 1-0 thanks to a late own goal, but was already certain of a final classification as number ten of the Eredivisie in advance. Groningen finishes seventh and meets FC Utrecht in the first round of the play-offs for European football.

Groningen was already assured of participation in the play-offs and was sure that Utrecht would be the opponent. On the last day of play, Groningen was able to knock the upcoming opponent from sixth place and thus earn home advantage in Wednesday’s play-off game. For that, Utrecht had to lose to PSV and Groningen itself had to beat PEC. In Zwolle, however, the number of opportunities was limited for the team of trainer Danny Buijs. Groningen looked uninspired and hardly created any serious opportunities.

On behalf of PEC, Rico Strieder shot wide after twelve minutes, after which Ahmed El Messaoudi shot over the goal of Xavier Mous on the other side. Halfway through the first half, Immanuel Pherai and Thomas van den Belt of PEC saw bets blocked after Sergio Padt misses, after which the keeper struggled to save an attempt by Benson Manuel. Groningen had the greatest chance in the match so far a few minutes after the break. Mo El Hankouri was the end station of a good attack and shot five meters wide.

Nine minutes before time, the score was still opened. Substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad sent a low cross from the right flank, after which the ball was deflected by Leonel Miguel. Groningen’s performance gave little confidence in view of the play-offs, which start in Groningen on Wednesday. That would also have been the case with a victory over PEC, as Utrecht took a point against PSV and has a much better goal difference than Groningen.