Go Ahead Eagles 3-1 Real Mallorca

Real Mallorca fell to a surprising and disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of modest Dutch second division side Go Ahead Eagles. A Kromkamp double and a Martí Crespí own goal handed the home side the victory.

Sporting Director Llorenç Serra Ferrer met with Dutch footballing legend Marc Overmars and former Mallorca player Sander Westerveld in the players’ box.

Against the weaker opposition, Laudrup opted to use the squad for his team selection. Second choice B team goalkeeper Toni Fons continued in goal due to the injuries of Aouate, Calatayud and Yeray. Meanwhile, Chico, Martí Crespí and Kevin were all given time in defence. Ximo was given a chance on the right wing and Emilio Nsue was once again paired up front with stand-in captain Víctor Casadesús.

Mallorca’s first chance came when a surging Ximo delivery from deep was just about reached by Chori Castro. But he could only steer his volley over the bar. He soon made up for the miss, however, when he headed in a Kevin cross at the near post.

The Uruguayan had a chance to make it 2-0, but his shot was deflected off a defender giving van der Vlag enough time to catch the ball.

With ten minutes of the first half to go, Go Ahead Eagles were back on level terms after slopping defending from the Balearic Islanders. No one could clear a cross – and when the resulting cross/shot came across goal, it beat three defenders and the goalkeeper – who was wrong footed – giving Kromkamp the perfect chance to equalise that he did not squander.

Castro then blazed another shot over the bar before the home side took the lead. Under pressure from the striker, Martí Crespí turned a cross into his own goal with goalkeeper Toni Fons once again left flat-footed.

Into the second half, Kevin García made a glaring error which gifted Go Ahead Eagles their third goal. An extremely poor challenge by the Spaniard gave the home winger an opportunity to cross. The ball found Kromkamp who took it round Uche and bent the ball into the corner of the goal.

Chico’s lack of match sharpness was evident when he clumsily brought down a home striker on the edge of the box. The Spaniard just seemed to get his feet muddled up.

With five minutes to go, Real Mallorca thought they had pulled a goal back when a Ximo shot turned cross found its way to Tomer Hemed on the edge of the six-yard box. This Israeli flicked the ball into the goal. His celebrations were cut short however when the assistant flagged for offside.

All-in-all, a disappointing night for a Mallorca side which lacked the freshness of earlier games. The weakened team was unable to find the same intensity as the stronger choice lineup and it cost them. The performance of the whole back line was poor.

Teams

Go Ahead Eagles: Van der Vlag, Karami, Bus, Heerkens, Jansen, Kromkamp, Jarchinio Antonia, Van den Ouweland, Makuso, Janota, Houtkoop.
Goals: Kromkamp 35, 63; Martí Crespí 40 og.

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Fons; Cendrós, Chico, Martí Crespí, Kevin; Ximo, Pina, Tejera, Castro; Nsue, Víctor.
Substitutes:  Zuiverloon, Ramis, Uche, Nunes, Cáceres; João Victor, Pereira, Aki, Martí, de Guzmán; Hemed.
Substitutions: João Victor, Pereira, Hemed, Uche, De Guzman, Aki, Zuiverloon.
Goal: Castro 25.

Referee: Ruud Bossen (NED)
Stadium: Adelaarshorst, Deventer, Netherlands
Attendance: 6,000

To watch the highlights via IB3, click here.