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Willem II vs FC Groningen
Willem II-Stadion
Team News: Hristov suspended
Prolific Montes Eases Groningen Home
Fali Montes once again proved his invaluable worth to Groiningen's cause, with a fantastic hattrick as his team cruised to victory of Willem II. Having heard of Ajax's 2-0 win over RBC, Marshall had to get his team to match the victory, although he surely has his mind a week forward for the cup semi-finals.
Groningen did their best to settle the manager's nerves, as Ignacio Tuhuteru put them one up after just 2 minutes, with a well placed shot from the left hand edge of the area. Montes got an assist on his way to a man-of-the-match performance 3 minutes later, as his intuitive pass found the feet of Hugo in acres of space, and the Brazilian scored easily.
Willem offered a slight rebuke, Andwélé Slory getting what would be a consolation goal, after a miscommunication between Zoricich and Vrede left him through on goal.
Montes got his first on the stroke of half time, as a curling freekick took a massive deflection off the wall, leaving the goalie without a hope. Groningen then went and scored straight from the kickoff. Montes again there, this time he stuck out a foot at Tuhuteru's cross, to direct it into the roof of the net.
Montes' strike partner, Glenn Salmon, was not to be forgotten, though, as he added to three assists in the game with a goal of his own. Montes' freeing up the space, and the South African rifling one from 16 yards out into the top corner.
And Salmon returned the favour in stoppage time, laying off Montes from 5 yards, and the side footed shot went through the keeper's legs.
Willem II 1-6 Groningen (Slory 20; Tuhuteru 2, Hugo 5, Montes 44, 45, 90, Salmon 78)
Cup Final sets up to be a good one, as Gro..Utre.....read to find out!
The biggest game in the club's history in this millenia. The chance, in front of a full house, to advance to the cup final, adn Groningen took it.
It was a perfect start, when Glenn Salmon put them one up after only a minute. Tuuteru's cross finding his head.
From then on, it was all Groningen, as they kept opening the doors of the Utrecht defence with ease. René Ponk, the Utrecht goalkeeper, single handedly keeping them in it with 9 saves.
The second half saw Ponk relentlessly kept busy - but Groningen couldn't get past him. Until Krstec's through ball lead Santos. And Flai Montes' replacement did what he does best - score when he has to.
Utrecht's morale died. And Groningen eased home, not wanting any injuries. And, for the first time since 1989, they are in the cup final. Looking to win it for the 2nd time in three attempts, as Marshall hopes to bring home their first major trophy since 1934.
Groningen will face Ajax Reserves in the final (), having already disposed of the full team in the 4th round, Groningen will be massive favourites
For perhaps the first time all season, they carried massive expedctations on their shoulders. Could the minnows upset the way of life in Holland? Could they overcome the forever mighty Ajax, and spring one of the biggest shocks in European footballing history?
With their best eleven back, no one doubted that Groningen could repeat the feat that saw them knowck the champions out of the Cup a few months ago.
But what they needed was concentration, and for 20 minutes, they didn't get it.
Ajax struck first when Steven Pienaar scored a thunderbolt from 20 yards, which left Beukenkamp wide eyed. Perhaps he was still in a state of trance when Nordin Bukhari did what he's done so many times for Ajax this season - scored a critical goal. THis time a handling error from the Groningen keeper let the team down.
From bad to worse it became, as Ajax were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes for a push on Pienaar. A tough decision, but Jari Litmenan's shot reached row Z with no problems.
They needed inspiration, instead they saw Pasanan score a freekick from inside his own half (:o). On came Santos to breathe a glimmer of hope. Surely there was no way back now?
Or perhaps there was. Santos injected life into the Groningen attack. They pushed and pushed, but there was no way past Boschker in goal. They needed a stroke of luck - and they got it. A scrambled corner from with the Ajax stopper had already made 2 fantastic saves, eventually saw Fali Montes get one back for Groningen.
2 goals in 15 minutes, then, required.....
But it wasn't too be done. Ajax shoving 11 men behind the ball, and Groningen could do nothing to break them apart. A truly valiant effort from the home side, but cracks were appearing for the first time. Beukenkamp making two errors for two goals, and the defence looking less assured. There are still a few games left for a massive turnaround. But it must be too massive, surely?
Looking to recover from the heartbreaking defeat to Ajax, Groningen looked shaky in the early stages of a match they had to win. Vitesse exposing flaws within the Groningen defence.
Still, the visiitors held the early storm, and started to get into the game. Their attack was looking sharp, as Hristov's cross found the head of Fali Montes, to give them an early lead.
That was it, though. Groningen played like a team with no confidence, and it showed in the second half. With 20 minutes to go, Zoricich and Vrede miscommunicated to allow Vitesse an equaliser. And 10 minutes later, the home side scored again to seal a deserved three points.
And, with two consecutive losses, it looks as though Groningen will struggle enough just to finish 2nd. Champions now, surely, Ajax.
Vitesse 2-1 Groningen (van der Herik 70, van Beukering 80; Fali Montes 12)
, Hristov injured
), having already disposed of the full team in the 4th round, Groningen will be massive favourites
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