Van Bergen disappointed by FC Groningen fans’ reaction after KNVB Cup humiliation

FC Emmen kept their cup dream alive with a 2-0 win over FC Groningen at the Euroborg on Thursday. Dick Lukkien's side were no match for the visitors in the first round of the Eurojackpot KNVB Cup.

"This is just dreadful from us," captain Thijmen Blokzijl sighed after the match in an interview with ESPN. "This absolutely cannot happen to us. Against Emmen at home. The cup is a great competition for us, so this is a terrible shame."

Groningen's sloppy play in the home cup tie left Blokzijl stunned. "I think everyone gave away a few balls today that made you think, 'How can that happen?' We were unrecognisable."

Frustrated, Lukkien told RTV Noord: "I'm utterly ashamed. We should never go out of the cup." He added: "At the same time, I know these players give everything. Tonight it wasn't good enough. But we will respond on Sunday. You needn't worry about that."

"We can't turn it back now. It's as simple as that. And we have to deal with it. And we will," said the defeated coach, whose side host Sparta Rotterdam at the Euroborg on Sunday.

Thom van Bergen was shocked by the reaction of Groningen's fans. "You should be ashamed, you should be ashamed!" came the chant from the stands as the players thanked the supporters for their backing during the cup tie.

"I thought it was strange and unpleasant. We just walked our lap and applauded them, but of course this wasn't nice. Especially because I think we did work hard. And I know, too, that this was in the moment and that all those people have a green-and-white heart," the forward said, according to Dagblad van het Noorden.

Lukkien has some sympathy for Van Bergen's reaction. "Thom is a lad who fights his heart out. When something like that happens, he feels attacked. It's also to do with his age. He still has to learn that the crowd are allowed to express themselves."