Coach Willem II Maes maintains 100 percent thanks to super-sub Bukela; FC Den Bosch withdraws | William II

The stadium in Tilburg was partly empty. KingSide and the away section had to remain empty as punishment (due to disturbances and for safety reasons). This certainly had an impact on the atmosphere of this derby. Fans protested the measure, holding up a large banner that read: “Years of collective punishment and repression, criminalization of fans and lack of progress.”

Not as fast as last season (after 41 seconds), but once again FC Den Bosch took a quick lead when Willem II visited. Now it was Kacper Kostorz who scored the opening goal in the eleventh minute. After a failed attack by Willem II, the visitors soon found themselves in a promising position on the other side of the pitch. Custurz won the match against Rafael Bhonk and scored with control: 0-1.

Willem II started the game very poorly, while Peter Maes’ side should have enough self-confidence after three straight wins.

But after an errant pass from Yuya Ikeshita, the home team equalized after half an hour. Gerede Hiltermann saw his chance to score his first goal for Willem II. He pushed the ball diagonally behind FC Den Bosch goalkeeper Jakub Ojrzynklsi: 1-1.

The residents of Den Bosch were not affected by the target at all. Moments later, Teon van Grunsven had an excellent chance to make it 1-2. After goalkeeper Smits released the ball after a shot, the away team’s captain was allowed to take a corner kick. However, he hit the crossbar.

After a terrible first half from Willem II’s point of view, coach Peter Maes intervened strongly midway through the half. He made three substitutions: Jeremy Bukela, Nick Dudman and Niels van Berkel came on for Oosting, Svensson and Sigorgerson. Also change at FC Den Bosch: Stan Maas has been replaced by former Willem II player Victor van den Bogert.

Tilburg opened an attack immediately after the break, but it did not result in any goals, partly because Van den Boogert blocked a shot from Bukelia. But in the 68th minute, Bukela made the cut. He hit the ball hard with his shoe and nearly caused the stadium to explode. For the third match in a row, the striker scored as a substitute for Willem II: 2-1.

The home team’s lead was not justified based on the style of play, but Tilburg were of course wrong about that.

FC Den Bosch attempted a final attack, but was defeated. In the 88th minute, goalkeeper Ojerzynski dropped Van Berkel’s block. Referee Vos pointed to the penalty spot. Who else but Jeremy Bukela got behind the ball… and scored: 3-1. With five goals as a substitute in the last three games, he is the man in action for Willem II.

Willem II: Smith; Herkens, Bhunk, Schouten, Sigorgerson (46. Van Berkel); Bush, Muirfield, Firth; Oosting (46. Bukela), Hiltermann (77. De Leeuw), Svensson (46. Dudman).

FC Den Bosch: Ogrezynski. Gyamfi, Henning, van Grunsven, Maas (46. van den Boogert), de Groot; Ekeshita (77. Saladin), Zalalem; Vicario, Kostors, Boumsaoudi (77. Litten).