Willem II and PEC Zwolle draw 1-1 as Streppel gets first point, still winless

Willem II and PEC Zwolle drew 1-1 at the Koning Willem II Stadion on Friday evening, 6 November, leaving the home side still without a league win after twelve Eredivisie matchdays. It was Jurgen Streppel's first home match as Willem II coach and his first point in charge.

A frantic start

Both teams attacked at speed, but the goals were over within three minutes. Sydney van Hooijdonk gave PEC the lead after just over a minute, cutting onto a pass from Younes Namli and shooting into the far corner. Hidde ter Avest equalized 128 seconds into the match, firing home from a cross on the left. The 13,000 fans had been whipped up before kick-off with a banner, flares from outside the stadium and an Oasis cover band singing 'Don't look back in anger'. The equalizer was the 40th goal Willem II have conceded this season.

Chances dry up

After the early goals the match slowed to a cautious rhythm, and PEC enjoyed more of the ball. Younes Namli and Dylan Mbayo dribbled at the Willem II defence, while Van Hooijdonk headed wide and found no clear finish. Devin Haen and Jari Schuurman were dangerous on the counter for the home side, but Haen shot wide and Jasper Schendelaar kept out a Schuurman effort. Vito van Crooij also had a late chance to make it 2-1 but could not convert it.

The disputed penalty

Just before half-time Van Hooijdonk was pulled down in the area by Calvin Twigt, and PEC appealed for a penalty. Referee Allard Lindhout waved the appeal away, and the video assistant referee did not intervene. Van Hooijdonk spoke to ESPN after the match and was still incredulous as he watched the footage. He said he had raised the incident with Lindhout during the game, and that the referee had replied that he too had committed a foul.

“I genuinely find it outrageous. I don't know what words you can use without being suspended.”

Van Hooijdonk was equally blunt about the challenge itself, which he said had left him with no doubt about what happened.

“There is no doubt for me. He pulls me back completely, I cannot understand it.”

Streppel and the table

Streppel took over after John Stegeman was dismissed, and his first match ended in a 7-0 defeat at PSV. The draw with PEC gave him his first point as coach, though it did little to change Willem II's position. The Tilburg side have three points from twelve matches and sit nine points behind PEC. PEC, who are 13th with 12 points, have taken eight points from four matches under interim coach Dennis van der Ree, who replaced the sacked Henry van der Vegt. Before the PSV defeat, Willem II had also lost 1-6 to Cambuur. Willem II remain the lowest-placed side in the table.