Willem II does not win against FC Groningen and has to postpone the promotion party

Willem II failed to achieve direct promotion to the Eredivisie on Friday evening. The leader in the Kitchen Champion Division did not get further than a 1-1 draw at home against number three FC Groningen. With two rounds of play to go, Willem II still has excellent credentials to be promoted directly.

In the packed King Willem II Stadium, Nick Doodeman shot over the Groningen goal in the opening minute. A few minutes later the visitors had their first chance: Marvin Peersman, however, bumped into goalkeeper Joshua Smits. As the first half progressed, Groningen gained more and more control over the match, although this did not result in any goals.

Willem II also did not score, meaning both teams went to the dressing rooms with a 0-0 scoreline. A setback for Groningen was the injury of Luciano Valente, who was replaced by Rui Mendes. The Tilburg team had no such problems and took the lead ten minutes after the restart.

Doodeman took advantage of Groningen's poor defending and rammed the ball into the goal. The goal brought Willem II supporters into ecstasy, because direct promotion had come a little closer. However, the euphoria in Tilburg was short-lived, as Groningen leveled the score just seven minutes later.

Jorg Schreuders stormed into the box the Tricolores and then saw his shot disappear into the goal via a Willem II defender behind Smits: 1-1. Groningen seemed to have to make substitutions again ten minutes later, but right back Leandro Bacuna was able to resume the match after injury treatment.

The same Bacuna was lucky that he only received a yellow card ten minutes before the end after a foul on Matthias Verreth. The final phase was fierce, because shortly afterwards substitute Mendes also saw yellow. Willem II continued to fight for promotion and it remained very exciting in Tilburg until the end, but there was no winner. The disappointment was visible among the fans after the final whistle.

Willem II has 75 points with two matches to go, three more than number two Roda JC Kerkrade. The Limburgers did not get further than a 1-1 draw when they visited Jong Ajax. Number three Groningen has 71 points. Two clubs are promoted directly to the Eredivisie.

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