FC Utrecht took a point in Stadium Galgenwaard in the match against VVV Venlo. Head coach Jean-Paul de Jong’s team took the lead halfway into the first half with a beauty by Nicolas Gavory, but had to cash a penalty shortly after half time: 1-1.

The stadium speaker did not put his microphone away or he could pick it up again. The second half had only just begun when referee Danny Makkelie pointed towards the penalty spot after a foul by Urby Emanuelson. Tino Susic cold-bloodedly profited: 1-1.

Beauty by Gavory
The Belgium Bosnian of the Venlo team undid with his goal FC Utrecht’s hard work of the first half. The Domstad team started the game well, put pressure on the Venlo team and were looking for the opening goal. That goal came and it was a beauty. Left midfielder Nicolas Gavory fired the ball from about 25 metres into the top corner. VVV-Venlo’s goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall stretched to his maximum to reach the ball, but could not. Halfway into the first half La Curamarcha was played and FC Utrecht took the lead.

Opportunities to win
Head coach Jean-Paul de Jong’s team had to swallow the 1-1 shortly after half time, but searched for another goal soon after that. Although opportunities were created, amongst others by Sean Klaiber, Sander van de Streek, Othmane Boussaid and Simon Makienok, the team from North Limburg got the best opportunities in the counter attack.

Big opportunities for the Venlo team
Substitute Johnatan Opoku found himself twice in a scoring position. The first chance he got seemed to scare him and his shot went far over. The second opportunity went wide. Fellow striker Ralf Seuntjes got another chance at the end of the game. He did shoot the ball on goal, but David Jensen saved.

Saturday: Fortuna Sittard away
After two home games, FC Utrecht will play an away game next week. The Domstad team play against Fortuna Sittard on Saturday September 1st. The game starts at 20.45. The next home game in the Eredivisie is on Sunday September 16th against FC Emmen.

FC Utrecht - VVV-Venlo 1-1 (1-0)
23. Nicolas Gavory 1-0
47. Tino Susic (penalty) 1-1

Yellow cards: Willem Janssen (FC Utrecht), Tino Susic (VVV-Venlo).

Attendance: 15,226.

Referee: Danny Makkelie.

Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Emil Bergström, Willem Janssen, Leon Guwara; Urby Emanuelson (61. Timo Letschert), Othmane Boussaid, Nicolas Gavory, Simon Gustafson (61. Simon Makienok); Sander van de Streek, Gyrano Kerk (79. Cyriel Dessers).

Line-up VVV-Venlo:
Lars Unnerstall; Chris Kum, Jerold Promes, Nils Röseler, Roel Janssen; Danny Post, Moreno Rutten, Tino Susic; Jay-Roy Grot (46. Johnatan Opoku), Ralf Seuntjens, Martin Samuelsen (65. Peter van Ooijen).