Netherlands Weekend Review

by Greg Seltzer - October 27, 2007

 
▪ UEFA Cup: Toffees See Off Larissa

Michael Bradley and Heerenveen put on a four-star performance at VVV Venlo, while Charles Kazlauskas and TOP were doubled up in Eindhoven.

▪ Benfica Keeps CL Hope Alive
▪ ASD Match Report: 'Gers Hold Barça
 

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FRISIANS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT
Heerenveen climbed into the better half of the table on the strength of their third consecutive victory, a 4-0 Saturday night cruise over hosts VVV Venlo.

Michael Bradley continued his string of starting every game for the Blue White Vikings, working the first 65 minutes in midfield.

The visitors got started early, with Kristian Bak-Nielsen rising high to nod home a Danijel Pranjic corner kick in the third minute. Nine minutes later, Afonso Alves danced around VVV defender Sjors Verdellen to slot past Danny Wintjens.

Karim Soltani had a prime opportunity to cut the lead when Bak-Nielsen and Michael Dingsdag got mixed up in defense, but could not find the target.

Heerenveen continued dominating after the break, with Alves firing wide on a breakaway and Pranjic ringing the post.

Eventually, the Frisians would pull away as Alves rounded Verdellen and Wintjens to bag his brace in the 71st minute.

With five minutes to go, Poland striker Radoslaw Matusiak claimed his first goal for the team to complete the rout.

Next up for Heerenveen is a Saturday trip to PSV Eindhoven.

Scoring
HEER - Kristian Bak-Nielsen 1 (Danijel Pranjic) 3'
HEER - Afonso Alves 9 12'
HEER - Afonso Alves 10 (Gerald Sibon) 71'
HEER - Radoslaw Matusiak 1 (Kristian Bak-Nielsen) 86'

Line-ups
VVV - Danny Wintjens; Mike Mampuya, Sjors Verdellen, Peter Reekers, Ken Leemans (Siebe Blondelle 41'), Niels Fleuren, Samir El Gaaouiri, Edwin Linssen, Ekrem Kahya, Karim Soltani (Jason Oost 62'), Nordin Amrabat

HEER - Brian Vandenbussche; Gianni Zuiverloon, Kristian Bak Nielsen, Michael Dingsdag, Michel Breuer, Jakob Poulsen, Geert Arend Roorda (Thomas Prager 72'), Michael Bradley (Miralem Sulejmani 65'), Danijel Pranjic, Gerald Sibon (Radoslaw Matusiak 76'), Afonso Alves

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TOP DROPPED IN EINDHOVEN
Charles Kazlauskas returned from suspension as TOP Oss suffered a 4-2 loss at FC Eindhoven on Friday night.

The American worked the full 90 minutes at his typical right back position.

Fabio Caracciolo spurned an easy early chance by hitting the bar with TOP keeper Wilko de Vogt stranded, and Kazlauskas matched him at the other end with a hesitant touch when in alone on the right.

Caracciolo eventually made good by opening with a simple conversion from a Kévin Diaz square pass in the area.

TOP had a good chance to level after Eric Quekel was hauled down on top of the home area, but FC Eindhoven keeper Ruud Boffin was equal to a well-placed Bart van Hintum free kick.

The home side went up two in the 71st minute when De Vogt mishandled a Diaz through pass to Tim Nelemans for an easy burial. Four minutes later, Tim de Meersman made it three from another Diaz scoring feed.

With only two minutes left, TOP finally got on the board as Tony de Groot bagged a far post header from Van Hintum's cross.

Seconds later, Quekel sliced the lead to one with a turnaround shot, but there would be no stunning rally as Caracciolo capitalized on another De Vogt bumble to apply the dagger.

TOP return to action next Sunday with a visit from Jupiler League title chasers Den Bosch.

Scoring
FCE - Fabio Caracciolo 6 (Kévin Diaz) 26'
FCE - Tim Nelemans 5 71'        
FCE - Tim de Meersman 3 (Kévin Diaz) 75'      
TOP - Tony de Groot 2 (Bart van Hintum) 88'
TOP - Eric Quekel 4 (Erik van der Ven) 89'
FCE - Fabio Caracciolo 7 (Chris van der Weerden) 90'

TOP - Wilko de Vogt, Yvo van Engelen (Tony de Groot 63'), Leon van Dalen, Dirk Schoofs, Bart van Hintum, Revy Rosalia (Mike Thijssen 74'), Niek Ripson, Erik van der Ven, Charles Kazlauskas, Erik Quekel, Wouter van den Herik (Casper van Elsäcker 54')

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