Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 4:29 PM• Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk • Last update: 16:35

RKC Waalwijk is unofficially certain of its preservation in the Eredivisie. The team of trainer Fred Grim had to beat FC Twente on Thursday and that is how it happened: 2-1. It was the first victory for RKC since March 20, when FC Groningen was defeated 3-1. Because of the victory, RKC now has three points more than number sixteen FC Emmen and a much better goal difference: -19 versus -32.

The first half in Waalwijk was anything but a spectacle. In the first thirty minutes, a few shots were blocked in time and a free kick by Anas Tahiri ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Joël Drommel. Although Grim’s team had to win to ensure their survival, they didn’t come very close to scoring. FC Twente tried through Thijs van Leeuwen, a shot in front, and Gijs Smal, a shot that Kostas Lamprou had difficulty with, but without result.

The start of the second company was absolutely welcome. RKC virtually dropped to 15th place due to a goal by Danilo, who finished after a lightning fast combination with Queensy Menig, in the 47th minute: 0-1. However, the responsiveness of Grim’s team caused a quick turnaround: two goals in seven minutes. Tahiri sent Thijs Oosting away beautifully with the outside on the right and Sylla Sow made the equalizer for an empty goal from his pass. Not much later, Sow reacted most alertly to a low cross from Oosting: 2-1.

RKC held out somewhat with hanging and strangling until the final whistle. For example, the whole of FC Twente asked for a penalty ten minutes before the end when Saïd Bakari played the ball away and also hit Menig, but the referee did not want to do that. Thanks to a few saves by Lamprou, RKC also remained upright in the final phase, including seven minutes extra time. Just before the end, Danilo also got the red card from the referee, putting his period at FC Twente to an end.