sc Heerenveen-FC Utrecht 2-0

FC Utrecht lost to two early goals by the home team in the Abe Lenstra Stadium on Saturday. "What was most disappointing today was the lack of power going forward," said Jan Wouters after the game. “It says a lot that a 19-year-old, Yoshiaki Takagi, was our best man. We missed the absolute will and the character to win the game.”

Wouters made two changes to the starting 11 following last week's 1-1 draw against PSV. Anouar Kali replaced Johan Martensson in midfield and Takagi was preferred to Enzio Boldewijn on the left wing.

After just a minute's play, Alexander Gerndt broke free in front of the Heerenveen goal but keeper Brian Vandenbussche was alert to the threat. Otherwise, FC Utrecht defended deep in the opening stages. The game plan Wouters announced before the match was to drop back and then break quickly on the counter. But things turned out differently. Within 15 minutes, FC Utrecht were trailing 2-0.

Bas Dost first missed a good chance from a Luciano Narsingh free kick. But the Eredivisie's top scorer made no mistake heading in the ball from the resultant corner. Two minutes later Jeffery Gouweleeuw controlled the ball well on the edge of the penalty area and skilfully placed it behind Junior Fernández to make it 2-0. FC Utrecht were quickly in a very difficult position against the number five in the league.

FC Utrecht had to attack. Wouters' team had more possession but lacked power and did not create any chances. There was one threat in the 33rd minute when Gerndt delivered a well-placed cross from the left wing but neither Takagi nor Nana Asare could not get to it.

Heerenveen eased off after the 2-0 and little happened before the end of the first half when the home team pressed forward again. Fernández saved two good headers from Dost. The keeper also kept the team alive in the second half with several excellent saves.

Frank Demouge came on for Stefano Lilipaly at the start of the second half. FC Utrecht had to attack but try as they might they could not force their way through. Heerenveen's attacks were also more threatening after the break although the Frisians were not really convincing. FC Utrecht's best chance came in the 72nd minute. Demouge laid the ball back to Kali in a promising position but his shot went high over the goal.

Characteristics
Score: 12. Dost 1-0, 14. Gouweleeuw 2-0

Referee: Bossen
Yellow: FC Utrecht: -
Spectators: 25,000

Line-up FC Utrecht: Fernández, Van der Maarel, Van der Hoorn, Wuytens, Bulthuis, Kali, Lilipaly (Demouge/46), Asare, Duplan, Gerndt (Schut/76), Takagi