“Excelsior take an early lead as David Garden finishes from close range following a blocked effort by Jan Plug.”
Pivotal“Rick Meissen heads home from a corner to double Excelsior's advantage before the break.”
Pivotal“Irakli Yegoian caps off the win with a third goal deep in the second half, sealing a comfortable away victory.”
Willem II
Excelsior
Outstanding performance
Excelsior•MidfielderWillem II dominated the ball with 59% possession and 508 passes but had almost nothing to show for it, managing just two shots on target all match. Excelsior, by contrast, made their limited chances count in ruthless fashion, striking early through David Garden and doubling their lead before half-time via Rick Meissen's header from a corner. The hosts made wholesale changes at the break in search of a response, but Excelsior held firm defensively and sealed the win late through Irakli Yegoian, converting just two big chances into three goals. This result will sting for Willem II given their position in the table, while Excelsior's away efficiency and defensive discipline offer real encouragement for their season ahead.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt saved. Stijn van Gassel from Excelsior saves a right-footed shot from outside the box by Nathan Tjoe-A-On of Willem II, which was aimed at the center of the goal.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Substitution for Willem II: Chido Obi comes on for Jaden Slory.
Simon Janssen from Excelsior is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Jaden Slory of Willem II.
Jaden SloryYellow CardJaden Slory of Willem II receives a yellow card for a foul.
Attempt saved. Jaden Slory from Willem II has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that is saved.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Daniël van Vianen from Excelsior.
Thomas Verheydt from Willem II misses a header from the center of the box, sending it to the right. He was assisted by Nathan Tjoe-A-On's cross.
Daniël van Vianen from Excelsior wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Hidde ter Avest of Willem II.
Nathan Tjoe-A-On from Willem II has a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it is blocked.
Attempt missed. Tonny Vilhena from Willem II takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes too high.
Substitution for Excelsior: Nesto Groen comes on for Ágúst Thorsteinsson.
Attempt missed. Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it goes too high.
Calvin Twigt's header from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Devin Haen.
Attempt blocked. Thomas Verheydt's header from the center of the box for Willem II is blocked. He was assisted by Tonny Vilhena's cross.
Devin Haen from Willem II has his right-footed shot from the center of the box blocked.
Calvin Twigt from Willem II has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked.
Willem II is awarded a corner after Rick Meissen concedes.
Ágúst Thorsteinsson from Excelsior is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Hidde ter Avest of Willem II.
Substitution for Excelsior: Daniël van Vianen comes on for Eric da Silva Moreira.
Substitution for Excelsior: Ilano Silva Timas comes on for Aymen Sliti.
Substitution for Willem II: Thomas Verheydt comes on for Kasper Boogaard.
Attempt missed by David Garden from Excelsior, who takes a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Foul committed by Rick Meissen of Excelsior.
Tonny Vilhena of Willem II is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Devin Haen from Willem II misses a header from the right side of the box, just to the left. The attempt was assisted by Calvin Twigt, who delivered a cross after a corner.
Attempt missed by Uriel van Aalst from Willem II with a header from the center of the box.
Willem II is awarded a corner after Casper Widell concedes.
Rick Meissen from Excelsior is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Tonny Vilhena of Willem II.
Kasper Boogaard's header from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Nathan Tjoe-A-On's cross.
Foul committed by Simon Janssen of Excelsior.
Jaden Slory from Willem II wins a free kick on the right wing.
Lennard Hartjes from Excelsior is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Kasper BoogaardYellow CardKasper Boogaard from Willem II receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Calvin Twigt from Willem II commits a foul.
The second half begins with Willem II trailing 0-2 against Excelsior.
Substitution for Willem II: Maxim Dekker comes on for Mats Lemmens.
Substitution for Willem II: Tonny Vilhena comes on for Eser Gürbüz.
Calvin Twigt from Willem II is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Willem II wins a corner after Eric da Silva Moreira concedes.
The first half ends with Willem II trailing 0-2 against Excelsior.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Foul committed by Lennard Hartjes of Excelsior.
Devin Haen from Willem II wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Eric da Silva Moreira of Excelsior.
Mats Lemmens from Willem II commits a foul.
David Garden from Excelsior is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt saved. Maxime Delanghe (Willem II) saves a left-footed shot from Lennard Hartjes (Excelsior) taken from the left side of the box, which was aimed at the bottom left corner.
Attempt missed. Eric da Silva Moreira from Excelsior takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box but misses to the left after a corner.
Excelsior wins a corner after Maxime Delanghe concedes.
Lennard Hartjes' right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Simon Janssen.
Excelsior is awarded a corner after Mats Lemmens concedes.
Casper Widell from Excelsior commits a foul.
Jaden Slory of Willem II wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Lennard Hartjes of Excelsior.
Uriel van Aalst from Willem II wins a free kick in the attacking half.
assist: Simon Janssen
Goal! Excelsior leads 2-0 with a header from Rick Meissen, who scored from very close range after a corner.
Excelsior is awarded a corner after Nathan Tjoe-A-On concedes.
Excelsior is awarded a corner after Eser Gürbüz concedes.
Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Calvin Twigt from Willem II commits a foul.
Attempt missed. Uriel van Aalst from Willem II heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes to the right. Eser Gürbüz provided the assist.
Eric da Silva Moreira from Excelsior is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Jaden Slory of Willem II.
Foul committed by Simon Janssen of Excelsior.
Attempt missed. Devin Haen from Willem II heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes just to the right. Eser Gürbüz provided the assist.
Eser Gürbüz from Willem II is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Willem II is awarded a corner after Jan Plug concedes.
Attempt saved. Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that is saved in the bottom right corner by Maxime Delanghe of Willem II. The assist came from Aymen Sliti.
Excelsior wins a corner after Maxime Delanghe concedes.
Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior commits a foul.
Jaden Slory from Willem II wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Uriel van Aalst of Willem II is caught offside.
Foul committed by David Garden of Excelsior.
Finn Stam from Willem II wins a free kick in the defensive half.
assist: Irakli Yegoian
Goal! Excelsior takes the lead 1-0 with a left-footed shot from very close range by David Garden.
Jan Plug's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
Lennard Hartjes from Excelsior commits a handball.
Foul committed by Hidde ter Avest of Willem II.
Eric da Silva Moreira from Excelsior wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aymen Sliti's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Maxime Delanghe. The attempt was assisted by Eric da Silva Moreira.
Excelsior wins a corner after Maxime Delanghe concedes.
First half begins.
