‘This was our last chance,’ are the words Luna Fokke exclaimed disappointedly after the draw against Amsterdam (2-2). In theory Kampong is still in contention for the last play-off ticket, but in Utrecht they know better by now. They now have to make up five points on Amsterdam in two games. And that is practically impossible.
When three minutes before time Kampong defender and new international Noor van den Nieuwenhof got a drag flick from Agustina Gorzelany as linebacker on her foot, the Utrechters’ hopes seemed to be gone. At 2-2, Amsterdam was awarded a penalty ball. If it went in and Amsterdam won, the playoff dream was definitely over.
It is not that far yet, because goalkeeper Babette Backers made a spectacular save. She dove into the corner and pulled the Argentine’s push out of the goal, keeping Kampong alive. The save gave new energy. Backers immediately sprinted to the sideline to make room for an extra field player. Because even that draw had pretty little to show for it. Only a win would keep Kampong full in the race for the playoffs.
Kampong threw everything into battle, but did not score. ‘That’s just really galling,’ Luna Fokke said. ‘In my gut I think we could have won it today. We started badly, but played very well for three quarters. I also think we should have gotten a penalty ball. It was definitely a questionable moment.’
Photo: Bart Scheulderman
A penalty ball or not?
She is referring to a moment ten minutes before time. Bente van der Veldt tapped in a cross from Mea de Vries, when Noor de Baat defended the striker from behind. Referee Lisette Baljon found the tackle by De Baat – who will play on the Klapperboom next season – clean. ‘I haven’t seen the footage back yet, but it had every appearance of being clean,’ Fokke said.
‘We just started too late this season to take points that we should take. We played equal against Rotterdam and Oranje-Rood. You have to start winning those games, if you really want something.
She also knows that those are snapshots. No matter how painful it is. ‘We just started too late this season taking points that we need to take,’ is her conclusion. ‘We have really lost very little this season (four times), but it was a bit of a search together at the beginning. We played equal against Rotterdam and Oranje-Rood. You have to start winning those games if you really want something.’ There is no team in the Tulip big league that has drawn as often as Kampong. Including Sunday, Kampong gained one point seven times.
Funa Fokke delivered the perfect assist on Bente van der Veldt’s 2-2 on Sunday. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
Tears, disappointment and anger
As Fokke tells her story, her teammates walk toward the locker room one by one. Some with tears in their eyes, others angry or disappointed. One thing they have in common: on everyone’s faces was visible the importance of this match. ‘Of course there was pressure today. I do understand it. But we really should be proud,’ Fokke said. ‘We wanted to correct our mistake from the previous round of play. Then we really had an offday. For the first time this season,’ says Fokke about the 4-1 defeat against Den Bosch. ‘The timing was very shitty. That made this Sunday extra loaded,’ she explains.
‘I hate the fact that we are not playing the playoffs. Everyone is devastated. But we have to end it nicely this season,’ says Fokke. Not only for herself, but especially for the captain of the Kampongers. Carmen Wijsman is working on her last weeks of field hockey. ‘Last season we made it to the playoffs with forty points. We can make that total again this season. That’s the least Carmen can do. I would have wished her an even more wonderful farewell.’
Next season to watch out for Kampong
A highly likely fifth place finish and simply too many ties. And many lessons for next year. Because soon it’s all about that. About next season. She was in the interest of at least one of the big clubs, but still just chooses for another season in Utrecht. ‘We have been playing well against Amsterdam for a long time. Not this year, but also last year and the year before that. It should just be good not three, but four quarters. That’s a learning point for next year. Then the rest can really start looking out for us,” she assures.
Photo: Bart Scheulderman
by Hockey.nl
