RKC Waalwijk has failed to achieve a potentially crucial victory in the battle against relegation. The players from North Brabant were the better side for almost the entire match, had great chances, but did not score against Almere City: 0-0. Due to the draw, the difference between RKC and number sixteen Excelsior is only two points. Almere City is almost safe, but seems to be able to forget the Conference League play-offs.

On the RKC side, Michiel Kramer again started on the bench, as David Min was once again preferred at the point of attack. Godfried Roemeratoe returned from suspension. At Almere, Kornelius Hansen, Thomas Robinet and Yoann Cathline had to provide the goals.

RKC started the match as the better side and would maintain that status for almost the entire match. Yassin Oukili in particular showed his class by sending both Richonell Margaret and Chris Lokesa into the depth, without result. Oukili tried it himself after fifteen minutes of play, but was unlucky that his attempt hit the post.

Almere City did not get much further than a few corner kicks and again got away well when Oukili shot wide this time. Mats Seuntjens dribbled towards goal moments later, but the veteran was ultimately unable to get a shot off. On behalf of Almere City, Joey Jacobs got the first really big chance. However, Jacobs' attempt was indicative. The ball shot wide and until the last moment it was questionable whether the ball would go behind at all.

RKC therefore remained the more dangerous party and should have made it 1-0 via Min. The striker received a beautiful deep pass from Etienne Vaessen and had time to take a shot. Min looked for the far corner, but he missed it by about twenty centimeters. It immediately turned out to be the last serious chance of the match.

Even after the break, it was a small miracle that RKC did not score yet. From a counter attack, Min offered an excellent opportunity to Lokesa, who lifted the ball over the outbound Samuel Radlinger and into the goal. Seuntjens also came close, but the attacker, who came over from FC Utrecht, barely saw his shot go wide.

Seuntjens got an even bigger chance a few moments later. A perfect cross from Margaret was completely missed by Seuntjens at the far post. RKC continued to make things difficult for Almere in the remainder of the second half, although the visitors were increasingly able to find the route to Vaessen.

In the final phase, RKC's strength faded away and the supporters feared a late goal. That almost came, were it not for Robinet's header, via an RKC player, that ended up on the post. Rajiv van La Parra also increased the nerves in the Mandemakers Stadium. However, the wing attacker barely saw his shot turned away. That's it, which means that RKC in particular will be disappointed with the result.

More sports news