A late missed penalty cost Willem II two points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Heerenveen.
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Seventy-two year old Foppe de Haan was back on the Heerenveen bench for the first time since 2004 after Dwight Lodeweges resigned last week, and he saw his side start on top in Tilburg. Simon Thern saw a shot diverted wide earl on and from the corner midfielder Morten Thornsby headed wide, but the best chance for the visitors fell to Luciano Slagveer who was put through on goal. However after a heavy touch from the winger Kostas Lamprou slid the ball to safety.
Willem II barely threatened but on 23 minutes they lead as a long ball forward was brilliantly lifted over Erwin Mulder by Richairo Zivkovic. It was the on-loan Ajax striker’s first of the season, and he should have made it 2-0 before the break but he shot straight at Mulder with the goal gaping.
Five minutes into the second half Heerenveen were level as Sam Larsson took advantage of poor defending to set up Henk Veerman, who blasted the ball into the net from close range.
Willem II regained the lead through another Ajax loanee, Lucas Andersen, who steered the ball past Mulder from inside the box on 73 minutes. However Heerenveen leveled five minutes later as Stefan Marzo crossed for Luciano Slagveer to prod the ball in.
The points seemed to be going to Willem II when Robert Braber was brought down to earn the home side a penalty, but Mulder brilliantly tipped Stijn Wuytens spot kick onto the post to earn Heerenveen a point.
The point sees Willem II remain 16th while Heerenveen are a place above.
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