Theo Janssen pulls off huge cup upset: De Treffers knock out Keuken Kampioen Divisie leaders
De Treffers stunned Keuken Kampioen Divisie leaders Heracles Almelo 1-0 at Sportpark Zuid on Thursday evening in the first round of the Eurojackpot KNVB Cup. Sebastiaan van Bakel scored the only goal for Theo Janssen's side, while the Almelo side finished with ten men after Ivan Borac was sent off.
From the start, De Treffers showed no fear of Heracles and created several early chances. Bas Brussaard shot narrowly wide after a quarter of an hour, while Tim Waterink and Van Bakel also threatened.
Heracles gradually gained more control and tried to take the initiative with their passing. Tristan van Gilst sent a free-kick over, while the goalkeeper denied Borac from a corner. The biggest chance fell to Willem den Dekker, who shot well over from close range for De Treffers.
Just before half-time, Heracles escaped again. Brussaard fired a powerful shot from the right, and goalkeeper Timo Jansink tipped it against the bar with his fingertips. Despite chances at both ends, it remained 0-0 at the break.
De Treffers had seven attempts on goal before half-time to Heracles' five, despite the visitors enjoying 61 per cent possession. After the restart, Heracles took the initiative. Jeff Reine-Adélaïde thought he had scored in the 54th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
A minute later, Borac blocked the ball with his upper arm and picked up his second yellow card, leaving Heracles with ten men. The visitors made three substitutions but could not stop De Treffers from striking.
Van Bakel broke the deadlock in the 61st minute. Kane Keizer sent in a low cross from the right, and the forward got ahead of Vicente Robles to beat Jansink: 1-0. Sportpark Zuid erupted.
After the goal, De Treffers had excellent chances to settle the match. Jansink saved Keizer's shot, while Jari van Ginkel hit the bar from a corner shortly afterwards. On the increasingly misty pitch in Groesbeek, Heracles mounted a late push despite being a man down. With the ball barely visible from the sidelines, N'Djoli headed just over two minutes from time.
De Treffers held on, inflicting a painful cup exit on Heracles. Janssen's side are through to the second round.
