A magnificent match by FC Utrecht brought the Domstad team three points this afternoon (Sunday). Trainer/coach Jean-Paul de Jong’s team steamrolled over direct rival Vitesse: 5-1.

They squeaked and creaked. They whined and swore. FC Utrecht were going through a difficult first phase of the second half against Vitesse, who got back a goal with 2-1 via Navarone Foor and regained that sense of hope for a good result in Stadium Galgenwaard.  But then there was Sander van de Streek. The attacking midfielder was first in line when goalkeeper Remko Pasveer dropped the ball and he netted the 3-1. A redemptive, crucial goal.

Ayoub and again Ayoub
That goal gave Utrecht an incentive and some breathing space. From that moment the game was similar to the first half: Utrecht were attacking and Vitesse were hiding. Yassin Ayoub put the Arnhemmers to the rack by scoring 4-1, fifteen minutes before the end. After a perfect Mateusz Klich corner the midfielder hit the net from close quarters. And three minutes later he was the big man again. Goalkeeper Pasveer submitted the ball to Ayoub and he unpacked the gift presented by the goalkeeper with pleasure: 5-1!

Jansen and Labyad both score
FC Utrecht played a fantastic match. Trainer/coach Jean-Paul de Jong’s team moved across the pitch as if they were  ballroom dancers performing a perfect Viennese waltz. Elegant, effective and elusive. After thirty minutes the Domstad players benefited from the fruit of their labour. Willem Jansen scored from a well-executed short corner: 1-0. Just before the break the margin was doubled. Gyrano Kerk passed the ball to Van de Streek who was in a position to shoot, but kept an overview and gave a perfect assist to Zakaria Labyad: 2-0. A splendid goal.

A top day
In the second half there was a phase when Vitesse ran the show. The players from Gelderland were hunting for a goal, and got one. But then they had to stand with their backs against the Utrecht wall because Utrecht excelled, fighting for fourth place and delivering a heavy blow to the direct rival from Arnhem: 5 goals, three points: a top day.

On our way to Friesland!
FC Utrecht’s next mission: an away match against sc Heerenveen. Tickets for the match that starts at 20:45 on Saturday 17 March, are for sale.

FC Utrecht - Vitesse 5-1 (2-0)
36. Willem Janssen 1-0
44. Zakaria Labyad 2-0
55. Navarone Foor 2-1
60. Sander van de Streek 3-1
74. Yassin Ayoub 4-1
77. Yassin Ayoub 5-1

Yellow cards: Sander van de Streek, Willem Janssen (FC Utrecht), Navarone Foor (Vitesse).

Attendance: 19,607.

Referee: Ed Janssen.

Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Ramon Leeuwin (46. Dario Dumic), Willem Janssen, Mark van der Maarel; Rico Strieder (86. Anouar Kali), Mateusz Klich, Yassin Ayoub, Sander van de Streek; Zakaria Labyad (73. Urby Emanuelson), Gyrano Kerk.

Line-up Vitesse:
Remko Pasveer; Fankaty Dabo (78. Thomas Oude Kotte), Guram Kashia, Matt Miazga, Lassana Faye (46. Vyacheslav Karavaev); Thulani Serero, Maikel van der Werff, Mason Mount; Navarone Foor, Tim Matavz (67. Luc Castaignos), Bryan Linssen.