retired_rover2clover

FC Groningen – FC Den Bosch
Date: Sunday 22nd August 2004
@ Euroborg: 14611


Well, despite the lads starting like rockets and dominating the early parts of the game, you could see it was going to be a long match as some great opportunities went inchces wide, Buijs, Nevland and Hugo had some great attempts on goal.

Although we did get a scare or two from Den Bosch, they had a 25 yard shot go over the bar and a corner which ended up just wide of the post.

But we continued to shoot at their goal and Hugo even had a 40 yard free kick scrape the post which was the most exciting part of this first half.

------------------------------------Half Time--------------------------------------------------

Having gone into the break without a much needed goal, I just advised the guys not to always rush their shots, just to try and concentrate a bit more infront of goal.

Then on the hour marked it happened, the first goal of the game and the first goal of the season, some fantastic team play lead to the goal, it was played out by Westerveld, with some fancy passing between Tuyp, Nevland and Hugo, the ball was played out wide for Pinas to put a pin-point cross in to Tuyp who headed into the back of the net to make the crown go absolutely wild!

That really motivated the team as the attacks just came one after another, then a brilliant chance was missed by Nevland just on the edge of the six yard box, he was all on his own and managed to hit the keeper!

But just minutes later, he more than made up for it, a back pass by the Den Bosch defender looked innocently enough, that was until Nevland started running towards the keeper……he tried to boot it out but hit Nevland instead….the ball gently rolled into the net leaving the keeper embarrassed.

There were more chances but it seemed a case of trying too hard as they just wouldn’t land in the back of the net.

FC Groningen: Roorda, Buijs, Floren, Kruiswijk, Luirink, Westerveld, De Witte, Nevland©, Hugo, Seedorf, Tuyp

Subs: Krstev, Salmon, Pinas

Booked: Seedorf

Goals: Tuyp, Nevland

Motm: Erik Nevland (FC Groningen)

Ref: Ed Janssen

FC Groningen : 2 (0) – (0) 0 : Den Bosch

Manager Comments

*A great striking partnership made it all happen, they could have scored a lot more today.

*The opening game of the season, three points and a clean sheet, couldn’t have asked for a better start.

retired_rubbia

Good start Goldy. Kutgw. :thup:

retired_rover2clover

Been a bit busy lately, and got a couple exams coming up. So trying to catch up a few games

RKC Waalwijk – FC Groningen
Date: Sunday 29th August 2004
@ Mandemakers Stadion: 7466

Well things didn’t get off to a good start at all! It took just 11 minutes for the home team to score, a solo effort by Hoogendorp.

However, their advantage wasn’t too last as dutch U21 striker Tuyp wanted to see some action himself and levelled the scores just 11 minutes after.

The first half ended with a draw but both teams had some good chances to add more to their score, the second half surely couldn’t go without a goal!

So, as expected, a goal came! Just as it looked likely the home team would take the lead, a counter attack started by Seedorf, he took the ball out our area and into the middle of our own half before playing an amazing through ball to Nevland to reached it in the penalty area and placed it past the keeper.

Nevland finished things off on at the full time whistle, a long goal kick he nodded on for himself, a fortunate defensive mix up meant he still ended up with the ball at his feet and so he unleashed a piledriver!

FC Groningen: Roorda, Buijs, Floren, Kruiswijk, Luirink, Westerveld, De Witte, Nevland©, Hugo, Seedorf, Tuyp

Subs: Krstev, van der Linden, Fledderus

Booked: Buijs, Luirink, Kruiswijk

Goals: Tuyp, Nevland(2)

Motm: Hugo (FC Groningen)

Ref: Roelof Luinge

RKC : 1 (1) – (1) 3 : FC Groningen

Manager Comments

*It was a tough game but we took our chances much better and that’s vital in this game.

*Our first away game and we have got a win, can’t complain too much, they were unlucky not to get something today.

retired_rover2clover

Transfers
Well developments in the transfer market! I finally managed to sign my first player, a young central defender who fits into the side perfectly and looks to have a bright future ahead of him in this club.

He is Patrick Huisman, a 24 year old who was playing his trade with Volendam where he was on loan from AZ, he has cost us a massive 5k.

We also signed a promising 19 year old centre back from Geel, he has cost us 60k but I can see him developing into a great talent for us. His name is Nico van der linden and joins us in the January transfer window.

International Matches

Great news as we have three players called up for the U21 side, Kruiswijk, Tuyp and Luirink all got a call up to face the Czech Republic.

Salmon added to his international caps by representing South Africa in a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the Holland U21 game, only Kruiswijk featured as the game ended 1-1.

The seniors didn’t fare so well, they went 2-0 down infront of the orange army in the Amsterdam Arena.

retired_rover2clover

FC Groningen – RBC Roosendaal
Date: Sunday 12th September 2004
@ Euroborg: 14574

Another home game and a place I know we can certainly make things happen when the fans are behind the team.

So when RBC went ahead after 22 minutes, it was time once more for some fighting spirit that we had in the last game.

Well it was very much one way traffic after that, and a poor goal kick lead to Buijs heading to ball directly into Tuyp’s path, he beat the offside trap and levelled just before half time.

After the break we continued a dominant performance and this showed as RBC centre back Hesp got his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

It took just a minute later for us to take advantage from that with Nevland tucking in a great cross from Seedorf.

FC Groningen: Roorda, Buijs, Floren, Kruiswijk, Luirink, Westerveld, De Witte, Nevland©, Hugo, Seedorf, Tuyp

Subs: Drent, Salmon, Pinas

Booked: none

Goals: Tuyp, Nevland

Motm: Jack Tuyp (FC Groningen)

Ref: Eric Braamhaar

RBC : 1 (1) – (1) 2 : FC Groningen

Manager Comments

*The scoreline suggests it was a close game but it was far from that, we should have scored a lot more and let a sloppy goal in.

*Again we went a goal down but we showed great spirit to get an equaliser and then go on to win the game.

retired_rover2clover

FC Twente – FC Groningen
Date: Sunday 19th September 2004
@ Arke Stadion: 13313

Well both sides had some good chances to score early on but thankfully it was our Brazilian veteran who took the initiative after 23 minutes as he unleashed a 25 yard shot at goal, it flew straight into the back of the net.

Although relatively quiet for the rest of the half in terms of chances, it took until just before 15minutes from time when some great link up play from the frontmen lead to an easy for Nevland after Tuyp had dragged 2 defenders with him and the keeper!

FC Groningen: Roorda, Buijs, Floren, Kruiswijk, Luirink, Westerveld, De Witte, Nevland©, Hugo, Seedorf, Tuyp

Subs: Huisman, Pinas, Matthijs

Booked: Nevland

Goals: Hugo, Nevland

Motm: Hugo (FC Groningen)

Ref: Ben Haverkort

FC Twente : 0 (0) – (1) 2 : FC Groningen

Manager Comments

*A clean sheet away from home makes this a good result.

*Well we’ve made an excellent start to the season so far and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far, who wouldn’t in my position!

retired_rover2clover

The Round Up

Well, my reserves are doing absolutely abysmal, they have no even scored a goal yet this season and the defeats are getting bigger! Although it isn’t something that’s too much concern to me at the moment.

The U21’s are doing very well, currently in 4th place in their league but also unbeaten in 7 games with 4 draws and 3 win, with one of the wins in the U21’s cup against Sparta!

The Premiership is currently being lead by Newcastle, followed by Spurs, Liverpool and Man City.

Hertha top the Bundesliga followed by Werder Bremen and the ever present Bayern.

In Serie A, Inter and Fiorentina are heading the table followed by Bologna.

The usual suspects are at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Rangers and Celtic, but Hearts is in pursue of them both!

Last but not least, Valencia are heading the way in Spain but are equal on points with 5 other teams!

retired_rover2clover

A massive game is coming up for us at the Euroborg, we take on the mighty dutch champions Ajax!

Having been listening to the radio, I hear Ronald Koeman praising my ability by saying he has a lot of time for him and in his opinion, believes Gold can save FC Groningen from relegation.

With such kind words I had to repay the favour by praising Ronald aswell but we certainly won’t go easy on them in the match!

FC Groningen – Ajax
Date: Sunday 26th September 2004
@ Euroborg: 22470

Literally, a sell out at the Euroborg for this great match, could we do the impossible and cause misery to the champions?

Well, it seems that once we get to this 20 minute marker, things start to spark, a counter attack lead to the Stadjers going absolutely crazy, Floren played a ball over the top for Tuyp to run onto, he was cool, calm and collective and he slotted hit home to take us into the lead!

Although Ajax had some spells of great possession, their finishing was very poor at the best of times.

Having fought hard all game, it seemed we crumbled to the pressure, just 6minutes left on the clock when a corner was poorly defended, letting van der Vaart sneak in at the far post and level things……

But that was not to be the end of this game!

You could not have wrote a better script, a double sub with Pinas and Drent coming on…..

Ajax were pushing men forward to get the winner, it left them short at the back……

It’s the 91st minute, Salmon intercepts the ball at right back, he plays a ball over to Hugo in the centre circle, he threads it through to Tuyp who takes the defender out wide, the keeper rushes out…….

Tuyp cuts the ball inside to the penalty spot……

Drent, unmarked, picks the ball up and boots the leather home….

GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

The Stadjers go absolutely ballistic, the roar in the stadium sends chivers down my spine, an absolutely fantastic atmosphere, the Ajax players just can’t believe it!

FC Groningen: Roorda, Buijs, Floren, Kruiswijk, Luirink, Westerveld, De Witte, Nevland©, Hugo, Seedorf, Tuyp

Subs: Drent, Salmon, Pinas

Booked: Nevland

Goals: Drent, Tuyp

Motm: Hugo (FC Groningen)

Ref: Ed Janssen

FC Groningen : 2 (1) – (0) 1 Ajax

Manager Comments

*What a great game, a super sub, he comes on and his first touch is the winning goal, absolutely brilliant.

*I don’t think either side will forget this in a hurry, Ajax had some great chances to win this game.

retired_bbcarr

now Raptor will be happy with that win

retired_rover2clover

Well, here's the league table after 5 games.

This should make FC Groningen happy.....especially when they see who's at the bottom!

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> |----------------------------------------------------------------------|| Pos | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts| |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | PSV | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 15 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | FC Groningen | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 15 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | Feyenoord | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 12 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | AZ | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 12 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | NAC Breda | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 9 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | Vitesse | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 8 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | Willem II | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 8 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | Ajax | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 7 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | NEC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 7 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | Roda JC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | ADO Den Haag | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | FC Twente | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | RBC | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 4 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | FC Utrecht | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 4 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | FC Den Bosch | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 3 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | De Graafschap | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 3 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | RKC | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 1 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | Heerenveen | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>