An equaliser from Henk Veerman five minutes from time earned Heerenveen a 1-1 draw against Vitesse.
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Vitesse made a promising start to the season but came into the game with Heerenveen without a win in their last four matches. In Friesland, Henk Fraser’s side once again struggled to create chances, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel sending an early shot wide in their only real action of the first half.
At the other end, Heerenveen, who were without the injured Stijn Schaars, had more of the possession in the first period, but also failed to make opportunities. A Sam Larsson free kick which sailed wide the closest the hosts came.
Vitesse started the second half brightly but Adnane Tighadouini saw a shot blocked, van Wolfswinkel found the side netting with a close-range effort and Navarone Foor shot over from a good position. Just after the hour mark, Heerenveen should have taken the lead when Arber Zeneli raced through one-on-one with Eloy Room, but the winger couldn’t pick his spot and fired straight at the goalkeeper.
On 72 minutes, Vitesse broke the deadlock and in some style with Lewi Baker sending an excellent lob over the head of Erwin Mulder and into the net. Jurgen Streppel responded to the goal by bringing on striker Henk Veerman, and the substitute resulted in the equaliser with five minutes to go. Veerman bustled into the box before sliding a shot through the legs of Room.
The hosts should have won the game in the final seconds but Room tapped Pelle van Amersfoort’s effort onto the bar and the rebound was smacked against the post by Veerman. The point means Heerenveen remain fourth while Vitesse sit 9th.
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