De Graafschap came out on top in the Gelderland match against Vitesse on Sunday afternoon. The De Vijverberg deservedly won thanks to goals from Levi Schoppema, Donny Warmerdam and Ralf Seuntjens. The 3-1 final score meant De Graafschap’s first victory over their provincial rival from Arnhem since 2008.
De Graafschap in the lead
The Super Farmers started the match full of energy and the pace was high. Both teams wanted to play football, but by applying good pressure, De Graafschap was able to force opponent Vitesse to make mistakes. There were not many chances in the first half and so both teams had to make do with some shots from distance. After just over half an hour of playing, that changed. A well-played attack from the left was coolly slotted in by Levi Schoppema on a pass from sagging striker Jesse Van de Haar; 1-0. This was also the halftime score.
Second half full of battle
The battle from the first half continued into the second half. Shortly after halftime, Alexander Büttner committed a hard foul on former teammate Philip Brittijn and that cost him a yellow card. The 20-year-old midfielder from De Graafschap initially seemed to be able to continue, but after a few minutes he had to be substituted. Some time later, the same Büttner committed another foul, this time on Joran Hardeman. Referee Dennis Higler gave him his second yellow card in 5 minutes and sent the captain of the Arnhem team to the dressing room.
Irakli Yegoian achieved another feat for his Vitesse in the 63rd minute. With a beautiful bicycle kick he shot the ball from the edge of the penalty area via the underside of the crossbar; 1-1. The visitors could not enjoy their equalizer for long. Mimoun Mahi, who had just come on, sent away teammate Van de Haar via the right flank, who provided his second assist of the afternoon. This time, other substitute Donny Warmerdam was the end station of a well-played attack. He was able to make it 2-1 against the ropes.
With 20 minutes of playing time remaining, it was De Graafschap who emphatically looked for the 3-1. Shortly after his goal, Warmerdam broke through the Arnhem defense again. He was put down in the penalty area and then referee Higler put the ball on the spot. Ralf Seuntjens stood behind the ball, shot in convincingly and scored his first goal of the season; 3-1.
Vitesse’s 10 could no longer make a fist against the better playing De Graafschap. The 3-1 final score meant De Graafschap’s first victory over their fellow provincials from Arnhem since 2008. Next Friday, the Superboeren will visit FC Den Bosch.
Goalscorers: 1-0 Levi Schoppema (36.), 1-1 Irakli Yegoian (63.), 2-1 Donny Warmerdam (67.), 3-1 Ralf Seuntjens (75.)
Referee: Dennis Higler
Line-up De Graafschap: Smits; Brittijn (53. Warmerdam), Besselink, Hillen, Schoppema; Hardeman (76. Willemsen), Najah (C); Van Der Heide (66. Seuntjens), Van Gilst (66. Mahi), El Kadiri; van de Haar (76. Eduardo).
Vitesse line-up: Bramel; Kreekels, Van Zwam, Cornelisse, Van der Plaat (80. Egbring); Tsingaras (58. Steffen), Büttner; Jonathans, Yegoian, De Regt (46. Macheras); Visser (46. Hoogerwerf)
Yellow cards De Graafschap: Rowan Besselink.
Yellow cards Vitesse: Enzo Cornelisse, Marcus Steffen.
Red cards De Graafschap: –
Rode card speed: Alexander Büttner.
