Excelsior’s manager, Marinus Dijkhuizen, underscored the significance of their upcoming match against RKC Waalwijk, stating, “This is a very important game.” With nine matches remaining in the season, he emphasized the need to turn the tide on their recent string of negative results. “Tomorrow’s game is particularly important as we aim to reverse the momentum of our negative streak,” he added. The match, scheduled for 8:00 PM on Saturday, is set to be a thrilling affair, with the Van Donge & De Roo Stadium once again completely sold out.
A Battle for Survival
Dijkhuizen acknowledged the intense competition for survival in the lower half of the table, where five teams are vying for the top two spots. “There are still five teams down there, and we must secure our place among the top two of those five. We are still in contention, and we control our own destiny. We understand the importance of tomorrow’s game in this fight,” he remarked. Despite a few injury concerns, Dijkhuizen assured fans that his players will fight tooth and nail to secure a victory. “We’ve had some injury setbacks this week, with some players returning, others unable to play, and a few still questionable. However, considering the gravity of the match, our players will undoubtedly do everything in their power to take the field,” he stated.
A Sense of Importance
Sharing Dijkhuizen’s sentiment, player Sven Nieuwpoort acknowledged the weight of the upcoming game. “At the beginning of the season, you don’t have matches like this, but now, every week brings such an important encounter. They say you start playing for something big during this time, and you definitely feel that sense of pressure,” he shared.
Match Officials
The match will be officiated by a team of experienced referees. Edwin van de Graaf will take charge as the main referee, assisted by Frans Ozinga and Roan van Marrewijk. Wouter Wiersma will serve as the fourth official, with Martin Pérez and Charl Schaap overseeing the VAR system.
