Brutal Helmond Sport lost its unbeaten status in De Braak after a bizarre final stage | Kitchen Champion Section

As with the past two home games, this one was also halted at home. This time after FC Groningen supporters threw plastic cups onto the pitch: beer of joy after Tom van Bergen’s 0-1 win in the 71st minute. The match also started in the top flight seventeen minutes later. Kick-off was postponed due to the delay of the FC Groningen fan bus.

Lukas Vankerkhoven and Arno van Kelijum were regulars at Helmond Sport. Midfielder Vankerkhoven played in place of Michael Chacon, and winger Van Kilijum was preferred over Mohamed Mallahi. With the change of lineup, the home team was under complete pressure in the opening phase. This was mainly due to the opponent, who started strongly and got the first opportunity through Kevin van Veen.

Helmond Sport weathered the Groningen storm, going into the game and boldly taking the lead after half an hour. Van Kilegum kicked the ball freely on the edge of the 16th minute and striker Martin Karse took the ball full and shot wide: a first-half lead was certainly possible. Although it should not be mentioned that Van Veen killed another great chance after Vankerkhoven lost the ball and Fleur van den Eijnden prevented Vovin Turay from making it 0-1 with a block.

After the break, the game went back and forth. To be clear, the two chances converged after fifteen minutes. On the one hand, Joseph Amuzu’s attempt was cleared off the goal line, and on the other hand, goalkeeper Wouter van der Steen prevented striker Van Veen from scoring. In the 71st minute, he scored through substitute Van Bergen.

After a cooldown of about fifteen minutes, Helmond Sport launched a final attack. With strikers Haakon Lorentzen, Alvaro Marin and Peter van Oijen in the team. This produced the desired effect in the final phase: Marin headed a header against the post, then Lorenzen fell to the ground, Marco Rinetti was shown a red card, and a penalty kick for Helmond Sport. Karras scored flawlessly: 1-1.

While everyone had already agreed to a draw, FC Groningen managed to make it 1-2. Now also from the corner. Liam van Gelderen shot the ball from close range. Referee Hensgens then immediately blew his whistle.