The second game of the Kitchen Champion Play-Offs ended in a victory for VVV-Venlo. In their own Covebo Stadium – De Koel, coach Rick Kruijs’ team was 3-2 too strong for Willem II. Sven Braken was twice accurate for VVV. He was also responsible for Nick Venema’s third goal from Venlo. For the Tricolores Jizz Hornkamp scored twice. The return in Tilburg is scheduled for Saturday at 4.30 pm.
Willem II shot off the starting blocks in Venlo. The team of trainer Reinier Robbemond took the lead after thirteen minutes of play. Sem Dirks completely misjudged a cross from Lucas Woudenberg, allowing Braken to check and print in the penalty area: 0-1. Half an hour later, the away team doubled the margin. Braken completed a low cross from Elton Kabangu into the top left corner to put his side ahead 0-2.
? Jizz Hornkamp moves @WillemII quickly ahead in the play-offs! ??#vvvwil pic.twitter.com/tET25TEz0p
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 23, 2023
VVV did something in return in the 41st minute. Venema received the ball from the side of the penalty area and shot from about eleven meters via Braken, who was credited with the goal: 1-2. Just before half-time, VVV equalized. Pol Llonch got the ball from a corner against his arm, after which referee Rob Dieperink was advised by the VAR to give a penalty kick. Dieperink took this advice and the penalty was flawlessly hit by Braken, who made his second of the game: 2-2.
After ten minutes in the second half, Thijs Oosting had a great opportunity to put the team from Tilburg ahead. Hornkamp put him face to face with Ennio van der Gouw, but ran into the VVV goalkeeper. Not much later, Van der Gouw also had an answer to a bet by Kabangu. Nevertheless, it was VVV that managed to take the lead. Venema nicely rounded off a cross from Braken after an excellent attack: 3-2. A few minutes later, the same Venema had a great opportunity to increase the lead. Levi Smans gave a viewed cross to the striker’s head, but he headed wide from close range.
?? Spectacular in De Koel! @VVV Venlo at 3-2 thanks to Nick Venema ??#vvvwil pic.twitter.com/w8wAWhwnNA
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 23, 2023
Fifteen minutes before the end, Hornkamp seemed to make his hat-trick, but his attempt was stopped from close by by an excellent Van der Gouw. Shortly afterwards, substitute Brian Koglin shot a free kick from far between the posts, Willem II goalkeeper Joshua Smits, however, hit the ball out of his goal. From the ensuing corner, Braken headed just over. In the final phase, the pace slowed and neither team created any real great chances.