FOOTBALL ZONE18 dec 2024, 08:20
Last updated: Dec 18, 2024, 8:20 am
Quick Boys pulled off a thunderous stunt on Tuesday evening by triumphing 3-1 over Eredivisionist Fortuna Sittard in the TOTO KNVB Cup at its own Sportpark Nieuw Zuid. After the game, there is little to criticize about that extremely good performance, although the second Katwijk goal of the evening was a topic of discussion, with Bas Nijhuis in particular having to pay the price.
Quick Boys’ 2-1 came about in an unorthodox manner. In injury time of the first half, the top amateur team took a free kick around the halfway line faster than the Fortunes could react, leaving plenty of space in the Sittard defense. Milan Zonneveld was able to take advantage on a pass from Nick Broekhuizen.
When the free kick was taken, there was a second ball in the field. Referee Nijhuis was not aware of this or ruled that the extra piece of leather did not constitute an obstacle and so the goal stood, much to the surprise and anger of all Fortuna players.
As usual, Nijhuis did not appear in front of the camera afterwards to explain his decision. He did have contact with. soon after the game ESPNpresenter Milan van Dongen, who read a message from the referee live in the broadcaster’s cup broadcast.
“The ball was simply taken where it was supposed to be,” Nijhuis explained. “I don’t see a problem. I’m going to go upstairs and have a drink.”
Kees Kwakman, present on the broadcast as an analyst, reacted completely surprised and could not understand Nijhuis’s reasoning at all. “Two balls in the field is no longer a problem these days,” the former defender concluded with a sense of cynicism. “So that’s allowed?”
The fact that the second Quick Boys goal may have been of a dubious nature did not detract from the second division player’s stunt. In the second act the Katwijkers even reached 3-1 and thus achieved a deserved victory.
