FC Emmen recorded an important 3-1 victory over SC Cambuur in the new Kooi Stadium in Leeuwarden this afternoon. The team of coach Robin Peter, who started with a different starting eleven for the eighth time in a row, decided the match before half time and thus climbed to eighth place in the Kitchen Champion Division.
The match started with a bit of a delay when it turned out that the shirt of SC Cambuur goalkeeper Jansen looked too much like that of his FC Emmen colleague Unbehaun. After a quick drive to the old Cambuur Stadium to get a replacement shirt, referee Van der Laan was able to blow the whistle for kick-off.
Once started, it was Cambuur that immediately became dangerous. In the fourth minute, Unbehaun had to stretch to tap a free kick from former Emmen resident Mark Diemers from the top corner.
Despite the home team’s strong start, it was FC Emmen that opened the scoring in the 24th minute. German midfielder Torben Rhein received the ball from a corner. He shot the ball low into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area: 0-1. It was his first goal in the Kitchen Champion Division.
Nine minutes later, Hawkins doubled the lead after a good action by wing attacker Nsona, where Hawkins was released by all SC Cambuur defenders and was able to easily run the ball in at the far post.
The home team did something back just before half time. A shot by Pauwels was deflected by Te Wierik, leaving goalkeeper Unbehaun without a chance: 1-2. This makes Pauwels the first Cambuur player to score in their new stadium.
However, the joy for the home team was short-lived. Immediately after the kick-off, Nsona took advantage of the Frisians’ weak defense. The attacker finished coolly, with one shoe on, after losing a shoe in the scoring action: 1-3.
FC Emmen’s victory was no longer in danger in the second half. The team played the match professionally, with the home team hardly creating any chances.
What is striking is the number of cards that FC Emmen received from referee Van der Laan. No fewer than seven FC Emmen players were fined. The most yellow cards for one team in a match in the Kitchen Champion Division since 2017. Trainer Robin Peter also adjusted his substitution policy because at halftime Hammouti and Nunumete both left the field as a precaution due to their yellow card. They were replaced by Schouten and Vos.
FC Emmen recorded its third win of the season and climbs to eighth place in the rankings. It is striking that all victories so far have been achieved in away matches. This Friday, FC Emmen will have the opportunity to win its first home win in front of its own audience, when MVV visits De Oude Meerdijk.
