Flattered defeat for Fortuna in Heerenveen

Tijjani Noslin had to miss three games due to injury, Saturday night he was back at the kickoff. He formed the offensive section with Kaj Sierhuis and Milan Robberechts. Deroy Duarte started on the bench, having only returned from international duty on Friday afternoon.

In the first half hour both teams were evenly matched, the best chances were for Fortuna. Heerenveen goalkeeper Andries Noppert had to act on shots by Noslin and Alen Halilovic. Both times the goalie made a fine save. In the latter part of the first half, the home club took the initiative. Midfielder Thom Haye tested the qualities of Ivor Pandur with a shot from more than 30 meters, with a beautiful gliding dive to prevent a goal. Ché Nunnely headed wide from close range and a Simon Olsson effort flew over the goal. In injury time of the first half, the home club took the lead. After an unfortunate handball by Mitchell Dijks in the penalty area, Thom Haye was allowed to shoot from eleven meters: 1-0.

After halftime, Fortuna Sittard could have scored the equalizer fairly quickly. After a quickly taken throw-in by Iñigo Córdoba, Sierhuis turned well away from his direct opponent and produced a beautiful shot from a difficult angle. Now Noppert was hopeless, however, the ball came back into the field via the inside of the post. Fortuna noticed that there were still chances for a good result, after a beautiful attack through the right side, Córdoba came centimeters too short to finish. After an hour of play, the home club was awarded another penalty kick, this time after a foul by substitute Duarte on the strong-playing Osame Sahraoui. Again Haye got behind the ball: 2-0.

Fortuna still did not want to give up and head coach Danny Buijs used several substitutions to try and get a result. However, no real chances remained in the final part of the match. The home club took advantage of Fortuna's urge to attack one more time. Ion Nicolaescu made it 3-0.

Line-up: Pandur, Pinto, Siovas (78’ Griffith), Guth, Dijks, Cordoba, Rosier (78’ Oratmangoen), Halilovic, Noslin (Belkheir), Sierhuis (78’ Lazetic), Robberechts (46’ Duarte)