Willem II gain little from a point against PEC Zwolle
Willem II failed to record their first win of the Eredivisie season again on Friday evening. The Tilburg side drew 1-1 at home to PEC Zwolle after both teams scored within three minutes. Jurgen Streppel's side remain bottom of the table.
After painful defeats to SC Cambuur (1-6) and PSV (7-0), Willem II had plenty at stake. They suffered another blow almost immediately. Sydney van Hooijdonk put PEC Zwolle ahead in the second minute with a fine shot on the turn: 0-1.
Barely a minute after falling behind, Willem II were level. Hidde ter Avest struck a fine shot into the far corner: 1-1. Chances followed at both ends, with Willem II striker Devin Haen heading over after good work by Nathan Tjoe-A-On.
PEC Zwolle gradually took control. Dylan Mbayo regularly troubled the Tilburg defence with his runs down the flank. The standard then dropped sharply as passes went astray and clear-cut chances became scarce.
Shortly before half-time, Willem II may have escaped conceding a penalty. At a corner, Calvin Twigt pulled Van Hooijdonk with both arms, though Van Hooijdonk was also pushing and pulling. VAR Richard Martens reviewed the incident but decided not to send referee Allard Lindhout to the monitor.
After the break, PEC Zwolle threatened first, but Van Hooijdonk failed to take his chance. At the other end, Haen fired narrowly wide after a flowing move. Streppel then made several substitutions, bringing on Jari Schuurman and Eser Gürbüz, among others.
Streppel's changes almost gave Willem II the lead midway through the second half. Gürbüz sent Ter Avest through, and the defender cut the ball back to Schuurman. The midfielder shot towards the far corner, but goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar made a fine save to prevent it becoming 2-1.
Backed by the home crowd, Willem II increased the pressure in the closing stages. Kasper Boogaard shot wide from distance, and PEC Zwolle could not find a winner either. Willem II remain without a win after eleven league matches and have just three points. PEC are in a considerably better position, with twelve points and thirteenth place.
