‘This was our final probability,’ are the phrases Luna Fokke exclaimed disappointedly after the draw towards Amsterdam (2-2). In idea Kampong remains to be in rivalry for the final play-off ticket, however in Utrecht they know higher by now. They now must make up 5 factors on Amsterdam in two video games. And that’s virtually inconceivable.
When three minutes earlier than time Kampong defender and new worldwide Noor van den Nieuwenhof bought a drag flick from Agustina Gorzelany as linebacker on her foot, the Utrechters’ hopes gave the impression to be gone. At 2-2, Amsterdam was awarded a penalty ball. If it went in and Amsterdam gained, the playoff dream was positively over.
It’s not that far but, as a result of goalkeeper Babette Backers made a spectacular save. She dove into the nook and pulled the Argentine’s push out of the objective, retaining Kampong alive. The save gave new power. Backers instantly sprinted to the sideline to make room for an additional subject participant. As a result of even that draw had fairly little to point out for it. Solely a win would hold Kampong full within the race for the playoffs.
Kampong threw all the things into battle, however didn’t rating. ‘That’s simply actually galling,’ Luna Fokke mentioned. ‘In my intestine I feel we may have gained it right now. We began badly, however performed very properly for 3 quarters. I additionally assume we must always have gotten a penalty ball. It was positively a questionable second.’
Photograph: Bart Scheduleman
A penalty ball or not?
She is referring to a second ten minutes earlier than time. Bente van der Veldt tapped in a cross from Mea de Vries, when Noor de Baat defended the striker from behind. Referee Lisette Baljon discovered the sort out by De Baat – who will play on the Klapperboom subsequent season – clear. ‘I haven’t seen the footage again but, however it had each look of being clear,’ Fokke mentioned.
‘We simply began too late this season to take factors that we must always take. We performed equal towards Rotterdam and Oranje-Rood. It’s a must to begin successful these video games, when you really need one thing.
She additionally is aware of that these are snapshots. Irrespective of how painful it’s. ‘We simply began too late this season taking factors that we have to take,’ is her conclusion. ‘We now have actually misplaced little or no this season (4 instances), however it was a little bit of a search collectively firstly. We performed equal towards Rotterdam and Oranje-Rood. It’s a must to begin successful these video games when you really need one thing.’ There is no such thing as a workforce within the Tulip massive league that has drawn as usually as Kampong. Together with Sunday, Kampong gained one level seven instances.
Funa Fokke Delivered the Excellent Help on Bente van der Veldt’s 2-2 on Sunday. Photograph: Bart Scheulderman
Tears, disappointment and anger
As Fokke tells her story, her teammates stroll towards the locker room one after the other. Some with tears of their eyes, others indignant or disillusioned. One factor they’ve in frequent: on everybody’s faces was seen the significance of this match. ‘After all there was strain right now. I do perceive it. However we actually must be proud,’ Fokke mentioned. ‘We needed to right our mistake from the earlier spherical of play. Then we actually had an offday. For the primary time this season,’ says Fokke concerning the 4-1 defeat towards Den Bosch. ‘The timing was very shitty. That made this Sunday further loaded,’ she explains.
‘I hate the truth that we aren’t enjoying the playoffs. Everyone seems to be devastated. However we’ve got to finish it properly this season,’ says Fokke. Not just for herself, however particularly for the captain of the Kampongers. Carmen Wijsman is engaged on her final weeks of subject hockey. ‘Final season we made it to the playoffs with forty factors. We will make that complete once more this season. That’s the least Carmen can do. I’d have wished her an much more fantastic farewell.’
Subsequent season to be careful for Kampong
A extremely possible fifth place end and just too many ties. And lots of classes for subsequent 12 months. As a result of quickly it’s all about that. About subsequent season. She was within the curiosity of at the very least one of many massive golf equipment, however nonetheless simply chooses for an additional season in Utrecht. ‘We now have been enjoying properly towards Amsterdam for a very long time. Not this 12 months, but additionally final 12 months and the 12 months earlier than that. It ought to simply be good not three, however 4 quarters. That’s a studying level for subsequent 12 months. Then the remaining can actually begin searching for us,” she assures.
Photograph: Bart Scheduleman
