Viktor Elm scores late to give de Friezen win over Groningen
By: Porter |
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The Noordelijke derby ended in dramatic fashion as Viktor Elm scored in added time to give de Friezen a 2-1 victory over Groningen at Abe Lenstra Stadion. The victory now has Trond Sollied’s side only three points behind Twente in the final Champions League spot. With a very favourable schedule looming, the April 25th match between the two could ultimately decide their fate.
Arnór Smárason was ushered into the match after only fourteen minutes as Danijel Pranjić came off limped. However the visitors took a tough turn eleven minutes later as Martijn Meerdink was excused with his second yellow card and Groningen was down a man. Unable to break down the stingy defense it wasn’t till just before the hour mark that de Friezen found the mark when Norwegian international Christian Grindheim drilled the ball in from the edge of the area. Nine minutes later Fredrik Stenman provision was sent in by Danny Holla and the match was squared up. However with fifteen minutes remaining García made a crucial mistake as he was shown a yellow ball after kicking the ball away from the referee. Playing down by two men, the visitors were on the verge of leaving with a draw until a added-time goal by Viktor Elm gave de Friezen a 2-1 victory as he sent in Bonaventure Kalou’s redirection of a Michael Dingsdag cross.
Category: Team News
De Friezen to KNVB Beker semi’s
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Heerenveen advance to the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker with a 3-1 victory over N.E.C. Nijmegen at Abe Lenstra Stadion. Lasse Schøne gave the visitors the lead eight minutes before the break but Paulo Henrique stormed back to draw the match even within a minute following a nice link-up of play between Roy Beerens and Viktor Elm. After a tightly played second half Patrik Ingelsten put de Frienzen on top for good with sixteen minutes remaining and in quick fire fashion, Danijel Pranjić set up Viktor Elm to make 3-1 a minute later.
Category: Team NewsDe Friezen defeat PSV 3-2
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De Friezen trip to Eindhoven ended with a 3-2 victory over defending champions PSV with a last minute penalty strike by Danijel Pranjić. Trond Sollied’s side took the lead fifteen minutes after the opening whistle when Paulo Henrique controlled Viktor Elm pass and quickly sent the ball in. However in a five minute span near the half hour mark Heerenveen were caught off-guard and Balázs Dzsudzsák and Timmy Simons quickly scored to give PSV the 2-1 lead. The match settled down till just after the break when Friezen found the equalizer at the fifty-first minute as Paulo Henrique capitalized on a defending error. PSV was shaken and appeared were pushed on their heels with Arnór Smárason and Roy Beerens’ attacking vision. With the match looking like it was heading for a draw a lightening fast Heerenveen counter-attack resulted in Jason Culina being red-carded and the spot pointed-to for his foul on Danijel Pranjić in the area. Calm and collected Philips Stadion was quieted as the former Dinamo Zagreb man sent the ball into the net for the 3-2 victory.
Category: Team NewsDe Friezen power to another win
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Heerenveen returned to the winning column with a 3-1 romp over Willem II at Abe Lenstra Stadion, bringing them even in points with Ajax and PSV. Trond Sollied completely out-matched the troubled side and the only question-mark from the match was the late goal for the visitors and a number of scoring chances that were not closed out properly.
De Friezen took the lead thirteen minutes after the start when Danijel Pranjić and Roy Beerens linked up on a corner, setting Paulo Henrique for a point blank nod in. Willem II was absolutely no threat following the goal and it was only some poor final touches and quality goalkeeping by Willem II ‘keeper Maikel Aerts that kept Heerenveen off the score sheet for the next thirty minutes. However with four minutes left in the half Swedish international Viktor Elm well-placed cross was headed-in by Kristian Bak Nielsen. After the re-start the home side was looking for more goals but both Roy Beerens and the Viktor Elm could not fool Willem II’s keeper. However with ten minutes remaining Roy Beerens found the mark after Kristian Bak Nielsen headed the ball to Viktor Elm, who then supplied the ball to the goal-scorer to bring the match to a 3-0 score. With seven minutes remaining and the match not in question Mohamed Messoudi ruined Brian Vandenbussche’s otherwise perfect day and the match ended 3-1.
The turnaround of de Friezen since the break has been nothing short of stunning. The attacking style that forgot defending before the holidays is a memory now and in its place is an effective, well disciplined play showing great maturity. Next Friday’s match against PSV will go a long way in deciding European competition.
Category: Team NewsDe Friezen find a point against NEC
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De Friezen escaped Nijmegen with a 1-1 draw against NEC but the result is costly as they miss a chance to draw level with Ajax and are now fifth in the Eredivisie table.
Trond Sollied had to be impressed as his side took the lead three minutes after the start. Attacking through the right flank, Christian Grindheim link to Roy Beerens who then crossed to Viktor Elm for a quick header into the net. Following the goal NEC’s attacking input of Rachid Bouaouzan and Dennis Rommedahl were incapable of advancing and Goran Popov’s free kick came close to doubling the margin at the sixteenth minute. Six minutes before the break the home side drew level as a penalty was call for goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche for bringing down Tim Janssen. Youssef El Akchaoui converted from the spot and the match went to the break at 1-1.
Mario Been’s side came out more aggressive after the break but a quick counter by Danijel Pranjić and Roy Beerens nearly restored Heerenveen’s lead when the former Dinamo Zagreb man cross fell to Viktor Elm but his drive from twelve metres was saved. For the balance of the match most efforts were speculative in nature and were easily dealt with by both keepers as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Category: Team NewsHeerenveen responds to challenge
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The up and down week of Heerenveen concluded with a solid 3-1 victory over NAC Breda. It was precisely the responded needed following the mid-week loss to Vitesse Arnhem. Trond Sollied’s side got off to a fast start against the injury troubled Breda club and after threatening early they took the lead as Michal Švec’ cross was headed in by Macedonian international Goran Popov. The match was a one-way encounter at that stage but it quickly changed complexion when the lead was canceled out four minutes later when Patrick Zwaanswijk flicked on Donny Gorter set-piece. That didn’t slow Heerenveen as kept searching for goals and grabbed to lead for good just past the half hour as Danijel Pranjić provided Roy Beerens the ball, with his goal bound stopped the rebound came to Arnór Smárason who finished professionally. For much of the match NAC was the instigator and didn’t back down. Danijel Pranjić came close to doubling the margin with twenty-three minutes remaining but his free-kick was held back. Finally with ten minutes remaining Viktor Elm was rewarded for his service as he nodded in Arnór Smárason’s corner to take the match to a 3-1 score.
Category: Team NewsFriesland response
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The task for Trond Sollied’s Heerenveen today is simple; to prove the mid-week loss to Vitesse Arnhem was just a “let-down” after the victory over Ajax and overcome NAC Breda.
From NAC’s perspective, the match preview seems more like a question of “who is left” as manager Robert Maaskant is missing Csaba Fehér, Tommie Van der Leegte, Kurt Elshot, Edwin De Graaf, Patrick Amoah, Rob Penders, Tim Gilissen and Patrick Mtiliga.
The Frisians will need to go without Kenny Steppe, Geert-Arend Roorda andMika Väyrynen but do have impressive goal scorer Viktor Elm back.
NAC’s injury problems will force them to stress a more defensive position and to assert themselves on the counter. Heerenveen will need to show care not to over commit and be very patient or they will leave themselves exposed.
Please drop-by after for a re-cap.
Category: Team NewsHeerenveen fall in Arnhem
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Missing a perfect opportunity to move up the table with Ajax playing to a draw against Heracles Almelo, Heerenveen fall in Arnhem 1-0. With a number of absences from Trond Sollied’s normal lineup de Friezen lacked the punch and didn’t get going in the attack till thirty minutes in and even then, it was very limited. They should have had the lead with just over ten minutes before the break but Arnór Smárason’s attempt slammed off the post. After the break attacking chances were nothing to speak of that the match looked to heading to a draw before Nicky Hofs’s long range effort with six minutes remaining gave the home side a 1-0 victory.
Category: Team NewsDe Friezen face Vitesse today
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De Friezen continue to climb the table and after the heroic effort defeating Ajax on the weekend, Trond Sollied’s side head south to face Vitesse in Arnhem. A packed Gelredôme will be looking for their club to repeat their weekend performance in which their 2-0 defeat of Willem II lifted them out of the drop zone with full knowledge Vitesse overcame Heerenveen 2-0 earlier in the year. Injuries are adding up for Heerenveen through and they will be without Viktor Elm, Mika Väyrynen, Kenny Steppe, Geert-Arend Roorda and Gerald Sibon is doubtful as well. In their place Arnór Smárason, Bonaventure Kalou and Paulo Henrique will step with confidence and as is the case so-often the case, Croatia international Danijel Pranjić will lead Heerenveen in the hunt towards maximum points. Only three points behind faltering Ajax and Twente, the chance for a Champions League spot is in front and a victory is needed to maintain pressure on both of those clubs.
Category: Team NewsDanijel Pranjić leads Heerenveen over Ajax
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The incredible turnaround of Heerenveen continued as they defeated Ajax 1-0 at the ArenA. Ajax manager Marco van Basten frustration with his striking combination since Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s departure to Real Madrid continued as they barely threatened Brian Vandenbussche and were oddly well under control. As suspected Viktor Elm was rested due to a slight injury but unfortunately his replacement Mika Väyrynen was injured early and replaced by Arnar Smárason eleven minutes in. Although scoreless in first half Trond Sollied was very patient in that attack,and de Friese slowly went forward after the restart but still never lost focus of their new found defensive vision. Two minutes into the half, with Roy Beerens heading in alone, Thomas Vermaelen was red-carded for a professional foul as he brought him down. Heerenveen took the lead three minutes before the hour when Danijel Pranjić, formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, scored with a perfect free-kick from outside of twenty-five meters. Ajax’s attempts were under control for the rest of the match and Trond Sollied’s defensive fortress lodged a 1-0 victory.
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