Telstar failed to take a big step towards promotion to the Eredivisie on Thursday. The kitchen champion Division club was stronger than Willem II in the first game in the final of the play-offs, but did not win: 2-2.
In the second half, Telstar turned a 0-1 deficit in a 2-1 lead, but was unable to hold on to that favorable starting position. Emilio Kehrer made the 2-2 for Willem II ten minutes before time. The decisive second final match is on Sunday in Tilburg (kick -off at 6 p.m.).
Telstar relegated from the Eredivisie in 1978 and has been active on the second level for 47 years. Of all the clubs in Dutch professional football, only FC Eindhoven (one season) plays longer in the first division than the Velsenaren. Willem II promoted to the Eredivisie last season.
Telstar finished this season under the leadership of former player Anthony Correia in seventh in the Kitchen Champion Division. With that, the club qualified for the play-offs for promotion/relegation. In the after competition, Telstar surprisingly calculated with ADO The Hague and FC Den Bosch. Willem II flowed in a lap later and defeated FC Dordrecht.
Stadium with 4,200 places was completely filled
The tight stadium of Telstar – with a capacity of slightly less than 4,200 places – was completely full on Thursday evening for the most important home game of the club in half a century. After the first whistle there was fireworks behind the East stand, but not immediately on the field.
The first chance of the game was immediately a goal. In the fourteenth minute, Willem II striker Ringo Meerveld was able to tap up close after a pass by Kyan Vaesen. Telstar complained that Vaesen Danny Bakker had pushed, but referee Jeroen Manschot saw no violation.
Telstar had more possession of the ball than Willem II before half time, but the home team barely became dangerous with the goal of keeper Thomas Didillon-Hödl. On the other hand, Dennis Kaygin almost made the 0-2, but his shot went just wide.
El Kachati helps Telstar take the lead
At the start of the second half, Guus Offerhaus fired the first shot of Telstar between the posts. That was the start of a good phase for the team from Velsen. That yielded the 1-1 in the 56th minute. After a shot by Youssef El Kachati, Rúnar Sigurgeirsson worked the ball clumsy in his own goal.
Willem II had lost control of the match and soon had to take another goal. After a Didillon-Hödl Didillon-Hödl, El Kachati was only able to get over and the Telstar attacker struck convincingly: 2-1.
Telstar felt the uncertainty at Willem II, which had only won his first match of 2025 at home against FC Dordrecht last Saturday. Telstar went on a hunt for another goal, but the goal fell on the other side. Willem II invader Kehrer punctured the ball into the far corner, making the Tilburgers in-house on Sunday with a reasonable starting position.
Telstar Failed to take a big step Towards Promotion to the Eredivisie on Thursday. The Kitchen Champion Division Club was Stronger Than Willem II in the First Match of the Play-Off Final, But Did Not Win: 2-2.
Telstar Turned A 0-1 Deficit Into A 2-1 Lead in the Second Half, But Failed to Hold On To That Favorable Starting Position. Emilio Kehrer Made It 2-2 for Willem II at Minutes Before Time. The Decisive Second Final Match is on Sunday in Tilburg (Kick-off at 6 pm).
Telstar was relegated from the Eredivisie in 1978 and Has Been Active at the Second Level for 47 years. Or all clubs in Dutch Professional Football, Only FC Eindhoven (One Season) has played Longer in the first division than the Velsenaren. Willem II was promoted to the Eredivisie Last Season.
Telstar finished Seventh This Season Under The Leadership of Former Player Anthony Correia in the Kitchen Champion Division. This meean that the club qualified last for the play-offs for promotion/relegation. In The Play-Offs, Telstar Surprisingly defeated ADO Den Haag and FC Den Bosch. Willem II Joined a Round later and defeated FC Dordrecht.
Stage With 4,200 Seats was completely filled
Telstar’s Cramped Stadium – With A Capacity of Just Under 4,200 Seats – was completely Full on Thursday Evening For The Club’s Most Important Home Match in Half A Century. After the First Whistle, There Were Fireworks Behind the East Stand, But Not Immediately On The Field.
The First Chance of the Match was immediately a goal. In The FourteENTH MINUTE, Willem II Attacker Ringo Meerveld, Able to Tap was in From Close Range after a cross from Kyan Vaesen. Telstar Complained that vaesen had pushed Danny Bakker, but referee Jeroen Manschot saw no foul in it.
Telstar had more Possession Than Willem II Before Half-Time, But The Home Team Barely Became Dangerous in Front or keeper Thomas Didillon-Hödl’s goal. On the other side, Dennis Kaygin Almost Made it 0-2, But his shot Went Just Wide.
El Kachati Helps Telstar to Lead
At the start of the second half, Guus Offerhaus Tok Telstar’s First Shot Between the Posts. That was the start of a good phase for the team from Velsen. That resulted in the 1-1 in the 56th minute. After a shot from Youssef el Kachati, rúnar sigurgeirsson clumsily worked the ball into his own goal.
Willem II Lost Control of the Match and Soon had to swallow another goal. After a Through Pass from Bakker, El Kachati was Able to Go Alone on Didillon-Hödl and the Telstar Attacker Convincingly Smashed It in: 2-1.
Telstar Felt the Uncertainty at Willem II, who only won their first match of 2025 at Home Against FC Dordrecht Last Saturday. Telstar gets used in Search of Another Goal, But the Goal Fell on the Other Side. Willem II Substitute Kehrer Punted the Ball Into The Far Corner, Giving the Tilburgers A Reasonable Starting Position at Home on Sunday.