Fortuna gives away the lead within fifteen minutes and loses
Fortuna Sittard lost 3-1 to PEC Zwolle on Saturday evening. It was the first defeat after five matches in which points were always taken.
At Fortuna, Alen Halilovic kicked off again, the creative Croatian took the place of Jasper Dahlhaus. Not much happened for either goal for a long time in the first half. The home team had the ball, but was unable to create chances. After half an hour of play, Fortuna took the lead, Mitchell Dijks won a duel in midfield and made his way to the Zwolle penalty area. Sherel Floranus touched him, referee Edwin van de Graaf awarded a penalty. Bullaude remained cool from eleven meters: 0-1. On the stroke of half time the home club's only chance in the first part, Davy van de Berg shot high over in a promising position.
After the break, however, the match quickly turned in favor of the home club. Seven minutes after halftime, Damian van der Haar served teammate Dylan Mbayo with a tight cross. From close range he couldn't miss: 1-1. Barely four minutes later the home club's second goal, now the roles were reversed. Mbayo found Van der Haar from the right, he shot hard and clean: 2-1. Fortuna quickly had an answer ready in an attacking sense. Rodrigo Guth served Alessio da Cruz, whose hard shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar. The returning ball was prey for Halilovic, but he shot over.
After more than an hour of play, three substitutions were made on Fortuna's side, mainly to provide the team with new offensive impulses. Kristoffer Peterson and Makan Aïko, among others, made an appearance. Fortuna continued to press, but also gave away space at the back to the opponent. After more than an hour of play, a corner kick from Samuel Bastien fell to Zwolle goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, who served Mbayo with a beautiful throw. Closely pursued by two Fortuna defenders, the fast striker made no mistake for Branderhorst: 3-1.
The guests did not want to accept defeat. A lot happened in extra time. A cross from substitute Josip Mitrovic seemed to result in a goal via Ante Erceg. However, Schendelaar prevented a hit with a feline reaction. On the Zwolle side, Davy van den Berg received his second yellow card, i.e. red, in the final phase. And after VAR intervention, Bullaude was allowed to shoot from the penalty spot for the second time. This time, however, the Argentinian midfielder shot over.
Fortuna's next match will be on Saturday, November 23 - after the international break - and FC Twente will be the opponent at home at 9 p.m.
Fortuna Sittard: Branderhorst, Pinto (62’ Mitrovic), Guth, Adewoye, Dijks (62’ Peterson), Rosier, Fosso (46’ Dahlhaus), Bastien, Bullaude, Halilovic (79 Erceq), Da Cruz (62’ Aïko)