FC Twente secured a crucial victory against Heracles in a derby match, ending 2-1 under the newly appointed coach John van den Brom. This marks the third consecutive win for Twente since Van den Brom took charge, restoring the team’s position in the upper echelons of the Eredivisie. Despite the defeat, Heracles remains at the bottom of the league standings.
Intense Derby Action
The match witnessed a dramatic turn of events in the last ten minutes. Twente’s defender Bart van Rooij received a red card late in the game, leading to a tense finish as Heracles sought an equalizer but ultimately fell short.
Early Incident and First Half Highlights
The derby had a shaky start with a significant injury early on. In the third minute, Twente’s captain Robin Pröpper collided with Heracles forward Tristan van Gilst. Pröpper sustained a head injury, which required immediate medical attention, leading to his substitution by 17-year-old Ruud Nijstad, who made his Eredivisie debut.
- First significant attempt: Ricky van Wolfswinkel shot over the goal in the 25th minute.
- Heracles took the lead in the first half with a goal from Ivan Mesík, who scored from a corner in the 43rd minute.
Second Half Comeback
Twente responded strongly after the halftime break. Max Bruns equalized with a header from a corner kick early in the second half. The pressure from Twente increased as they dominated possession and created several opportunities.
- Thomas van den Belt scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from 20 meters, giving Twente a 2-1 lead.
- Heracles’ last-minute efforts were halted due to Van Rooij’s red card.
The match concluded with Twente holding onto their lead despite the challenging circumstances. The team’s recent form under Van den Brom looks promising as they embrace the challenges ahead in the Eredivisie.
Upcoming Challenges
With this victory, FC Twente aims to maintain its momentum as they approach the next series of matches. Meanwhile, Heracles will need to regroup and address their struggles at the bottom of the league table.
