Match Day One | ADO Den Haag VS Zwolle | 04/08/2014
Hello and welcome to ESPN Matchday Live, today we have an opening weekend fixture from the Dutch Eredivise. ADO Den Haag with their new manager will take on Zwolle in his first competitive game in charge of the club. It certainly won't be an easy game that's for sure, Zwolle are a team that are capable of beating any side in the league, they are dark horses for a European spot come the end of the season, but lets not play down Den Haag's chances after a terrific preseason.
Four games played, Four games won, one goal conceded. Surely that will give them confidence going into this game, although preseason really isn't the best indicator of how well you're going to do once it gets competitive.
We've had chance to catch up with both managers before the game and this is what they've had to say:
Groenendijk: "I'm very happy with how the break went, we look sharp and look fit, it should be a very competitive match. Either side is capable of winning it, but with us being at home I believe the crowd can be a huge factor and they can spur the boys on today to take all three points. I'm looking forward to my first competitive game in charge and it's a nice occasion too, being in front of the home fans against a strong opposition like Zwolle."
Jans: "I'm very much looking forward to the game today, it is a tough test against relatively strong opposition, who've done well in the transfer business and brought some quality players in the league. We are confident, the break went well for us and I'm hoping we can take some of our preseason form into the competitive matches and have a strong start today. I'd like to wish Alfons all the luck in the world this season, of course after today's game! But no, we will look to try take some of the spoils today, we're hard working and we press well so I'm confident of a positive result today.
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We also have team news coming in right now, and we can take a look at how both teams will line up:
As expected Den Haag have gone with their new managers system the 5-3-2, they have no less than five debutantes making their first starts for the club. The manager had quite a few tough decisions to make at who would start at left wing back, in the advanced playmaker role and also up top, with the likes of Gehrt, Grimaldo and Kramer forced onto the bench.
Looking at Zwolle, theres no marquee player in their side, but they solid as a team, everyone does their job, nothing fancy. They just go out their under orders and perform as a unit, it will be interesting to see how their defence copes with the Den Haag frontline, take nothing for granted though because they do have some solid players there.
With kickoff just around the corner we'll hand you over to our commentary team Michael Owen and Clarke Carlisle.
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MO: With kickoff right around the corner and the teams emerging from the tunnels, which team do you fancy today Clarke?
CC: Well Michael, with it being opening day the teams may not be going full throttle, trying to avoid early injuries and build the last bit of the fitness up. I can't see it being full of goals, It'll just be a steady sparing match im going for a score draw at 1-1.
MO: Interesting prediction there Clarke. If I was a betting man, which I'm not I'd go for a home win today at 2-0. Den Haag looked really impressive in preseason and with their new signings it could be an interesting game, and also season for the Green and Yellows. I think they'll be pushing for a European spot come the end of the season, not quite a Ajax, PSV or Twente yet but it'll come with time. As for Zwolle I reckon a steady mid-table would be a good season for them and they can continue to build from there.
CC: Perhaps you're right Michael, but it's a marathon not a sprint so it will be down to if they can keep the momentum going all season, the players have taken to their position and the game is about to kick off...
0' Referee Kulpers blows his whistle and the game gets underway.
2' Jansen picks up on a loose pass from Zwolle and immediately sends it sideways to his midfield partner Kristensen who plays a lovely ball into the feet of Yuki Otsu. Ostu plays a lovely one-two with Van Duinen and he lays the ball off to Arruabarrena who slides the ball just wide of the post... Chance Missed.
13' Hansen sends the ball long from the dead ball but it drops kindly for Ioannidis who cushions a header into Drost's feet, he breaks the line of defence and bares down on the Den Haag goal, Hansen races off his line to meet the oncoming attacker. Drost shoots and misses the target... A wasted chance from Zwolle!
28' Both teams are looking to keep a hold of the ball in midfield, both look reluctant to pour bodies forward in search of a goal. Hopefully the tempo will pick up and we'll see some goals soon...
42' Otsu picks the ball up inside his own half, dribbles past three players with ease and see's the keeper off his line. He tries to lob the keeper from 40 yards, but its high, wide and not so handsome...
45+2' The referee blows for halftime, it hasn't been the most liveliest match so far, but maybe it will pick up in the second half.
45' The Referee's whistle gets the second half underway...
48'
Leroy Labylle picks up the games first booking for tripping Otsu, it was a silly challenge to make and a pointless booking, his manager won't be happy. He needs to be careful now!57' Hansen takes a quick goal kick and sprays it out wide to Biraghi who takes his man on and charges forward, he plays the ball into Arruabarrena's feet who quickly dispatches it to Van Duinen. He slides the ball in behind the centre-back into Otsu who finds himself in plenty of space in the oppositions box. OSTU ROUNDS THE KEEPER... AND HE MISSES THE TARGET! He'll be kicking himself for wasting that opportunity...
63'
Den Haag make two changes, Birgahi leaves the field for Grimaldo and Otsu makes way for Gehrt.81' A chance for Zwolle to score from a set-play, as Drost places the ball down at the edge of the area, he takes a run up, shoots... and sends the ball flying wide of the mark, another chance goes begging in this match.
90+1' The referee's whistle blows for full time, it's a draw here, both sides could easily have won it with the chances that were wasted. It finishes here 0-0.
MO: We look back today at what was a wasted opportunity for either side to have picked up all 3 points today, the chances that were there I even think you'd of berried one of them Clarke!
CC: Hahaha, trust you ey! No but in all seriousness, both sides will be disappointed that they weren't able to take maximum points here, but given the time of the game a draw is probably a fair result. Had it of been further into the season and the players were sharper then the chances would have probably been taken and we'd be talking about a different result.
MO: Well that was it for today, a point for both teams on the opening day of the season, neither teams will be too happy but neither will be too disheartened either. A draw probably the fairest result in the end, join us next time on ESPN match day for more games from Europe's top leagues!
Comments
Coxy - I must admit, I read your story and he looked like he was a player worth grabbing
Walter - Indeed it was Watler, didn't notice that but now you mention it it's a huge positive, I was particularly pleased with the performance against Swansea!
