It wasn’t an easy match for the men from Utrecht. The game seemed to be heading for a 0-0 draw until Urby Emanuelson opened the score 20 minutes before time. Five minutes later Andrija Novakovich decided the final score: 1-1.

The ref blew his whistle and the game between Fortuna Sittard and FC Utrecht got under way. It didn’t take long for Utrecht to learn what to expect from the Limburgers. Andrija Novakovich fired a shot at goal in the third minute; the ball ended in the side netting. Fortuna were firing on all cylinder from the very beginning.
 
Serbian American
Fortuna Sittard’s greatest danger came from Andrija Novakovich. The striker constantly caused problems in the Utrecht defence. A shot early in the match, headers and lobs. David Jensen had to come into action many times to stop him from scoring. Unfortunately his luck ran out in the 74th minute. In a scramble in front of goal, the ball ended up at the Serbian American’s feet. He didn’t hesitate and placed the ball over the prone Jensen: 1-1.
 
Counters
FC Utrecht lacked sharpness. They had enough chances but they couldn’t put them away. The Limburgers were very dangerous on the counter. Fortuna Sittard broke out towards Jensen’s goal many times, making good use of Lisandro Semedo’s speed.
 
Utrecht threat
The Utrecht threat came mainly from left-footed players. Leon Guwara first chose to fire one from the edge of the Limburg penalty area, but the German’s shot rifled against the post. Guwara then burst out, reached the goal line and crossed the ball. His pass reached Emanuelson’s stronger foot and the midfielder shot at Alexei Koselev’s goal to score Utrecht’s only goal of the evening.
 
Debutant
Following the draw against newly promoted Fortuna Sittard, the next fixture is at home against Eredivisie debutant FC Emmen. The match kicks off in the Galgenwaard at 14:30 on 16 September.

Fortuna Sittard – FC Utrecht 1-1 (0-0)
68. Urby Emanuelson 0-1
74. Andrija Novakovich 1-1
 
Yellow cards: Wessel Dammers (Fortuna Sittard), Branislav Ninaj (Fortuna Sittard)
 
Referee: Rob Dieperink
 
Fortuna Sittard line-up:
Alexei Koselev, Marco Ospitalieri, Wessel Dammers, Kai Heerings (74. Jose Rodriquez), Branislav Ninaj, Alessandro Ciranni; Jorrit Smeets, Mark Diemers (84. Lars Hutten), Ahmed el Massaoudi (74. Amadou Ciss); Lisandro Semedo, Andrija Novakovich.
 
FC Utrecht line-up:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Willem Janssen, Timo Letschert (74. Emil Bergström), Leon Guwara; Urby Emanuelson, Joris van Overeem, Nicolas Gavory, Simon Gustafson (84. Simon Makienok); Gyrano Kerk (63. Oussama Tannane), Sander van de Streek