Groningen have their first win of the season after a Mimoun Mahi double saw them beat Excelsior 2-0 at the Euroborg.
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After last weeks loss to PSV and the draw with Twente on the opening day, Groningen began the game in determined fashion as they sought their first win of the season, but Excelsior goalkeeper Filip Kurto proved a obstacle. Kurto saved well from Albert Rusnak and Michael De Leeuw, while Hans Hateboer fired over the bar from point blank range.
Excelsior used the pace of Nigel Hasselbaink and Jordan Botaka on the counter attack, but neither could test Sergio Padt in the Groningen goal, while Tom van Weert sent a header over the bar.
With 25 minutes to go Edwin van de Looi decided to bring on Mimoun Mahi for the quiet Albert Rusnak, and almost immediately the Netherlands U21 international fired the home side ahead with a curling free kick.
Mahi then made it 2-0 before the end as he raced onto Bryan Linssen’s through ball before squeezing a shot past Kurto.
Groningen move temporarily into the top ten after the win, while Excelsior are still searching for their first win and sit 13th.
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