Fortuna loses to effective FC Volendam
Fortuna went down 2-1 in Volendam on Friday night. In a mediocre match the chances were scarce, the home club showed itself the most efficient in finishing. Fortuna's goal was scored by Tijjani Noslin.
At Fortuna, Burak Yilmaz and Inigo Cordoba were available again, both were also at the kickoff. Another regular, Oguzhan Özyakup, was not yet on the squad. The first half little to nothing happened, both teams did not want to take any risks. FC Volendam, performing very well at home in 2023, failed to create any really big chances, and so did Fortuna. The first significant chance, six minutes before the end of the first half, yielded an immediate goal. Walid Ould Chikh took advantage of ball loss in Fortuna's build-up and served midfielder Carel Eiting the ball. From about ten meters he hit the ball with a beautiful diagonal shot: 1-0.
Soon after halftime the home club doubled their lead, with left back Derry John Murkin behind the goal. The English defender initially saw a shot go wide after a long solo from his own half. In the 52nd minute, Murkin played in Ould Chikh, who crossed to Oscar Buur. With a shot just inside the box, he left Ivor Pandur without a chance, and Dimitrios Siovas could not save either: 2-0.
Head coach Julio Velázquez tried to give his team new offensive impetus with two substitutions, Remy Vita and Úmaro Embaló. Moments later, Paul Gladon also entered the field. Just after the hour, Fortuna came back into the game. Via a throw-in on the right side the ball came to Vita, who played Tijjnai Noslin. The agile winger freed himself from his direct opponent and shot from an almost impossible angle: 2-1.
The tension in the match was completely back. Noslin was close to scoring his second goal with a header, while Burak was inches short of putting a Kristijan Bistrovic cross into the goal. An effort by Embalo from close range was blocked by a Volendam defender. Despite a huge field advantage, resulting in fourteen corner kicks, Fortuna was unable to eliminate the deficit. In doing so, the Sittard formation mainly short-changed itself and returned home without any points.
Line-up: Pandur, Pinto, Siovas, Guth, Cox, (55’ Vita) Bistrovic, Córdoba, Duarte (61’ Gladon), Buitink 55’ Úmaro), Burak, Noslin
