- SC Heerenveen was eliminated from the KNVB Cup after a 3-2 loss in extra time
- An unfortunate tactical change left Robin van Persie red-faced after the final whistle
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! Is Everton where they deserve to be or are the club's fans deceived?
Robin van Persie's “illogical” tactical gamble did not pay off when his SC Heerenveen team was knocked out of the KNVB Cup at the hands of amateur opponents last night.
Heerenveen, ninth in the Eredivisie, were eliminated after a humiliating 3-2 defeat in extra time despite leading the match 2-1 before Van Persie's unfortunate decision.
The coach, who took over in May 2024 in his first position as a coach, called up goalkeeper Andries Noppert to deal with the aerial threat of Quick Boys, but an error by the substitute led him to commit a penalty with which the locals They tied.
Noppert's embarrassment was compounded when he was hit by a Levi van Duijn header at the death, leaving Heerenveen reeling from a shocking setback.
Mickey van der Hart had started the match between the sticks and put in a strong performance, forcing Van Persie to reveal after the match that the change was due to technical reasons and not allowing Noppert a farewell before a possible move to Argentina.
“I looked at the time left to play, the score and what they were going to do,” Van Persie said. 'They were going to play 3-3-4, with two imposing forwards. I expected many crosses. I looked at what we needed as a team. And that was Andries.
Robin van Persie's tactical bet led his team to SC Heerenveen falling out of the KNVB Cup
Eredivisie side Heerenveen were eliminated after losing to amateur Quick Boys in extra time
Substitute goalkeeper Andries Noppert came on late, but conceded a penalty.
Van Persie, however, admitted that the substitution was unusual, adding: “It almost never happens in football, so I understand why people find it illogical.”
'But the fact that it almost never happens was no reason for me not to do it. And we've talked about this often with Mickey and Andries in recent months.'
Quick Boys match winner Van Duijn later claimed that the minnows believed Noppert's surprise introduction was “doomed to failure”.
The goalkeeper had last been in action on November 23 and took the field after a brief warm-up, leading to theories that a lack of pace may have led to his errors.
“That might be possible,” Van Persie said. “But on the other hand, I don't think it was a penalty and with that other goal it was also difficult for Andries to do something.
'You can think of all kinds of reasons why that substitution wasn't a good choice. But mostly I look at why it was a good choice.'
Noppert made no excuses for his performance and said he was “embarrassed.”
“I had the feeling that I touched the ball and that it wasn't a penalty,” he said. 'But it happened to me. This is unacceptable and a shame. I should be ashamed.
Milan Zonneveld sent Noppert the wrong way and the stopper later admitted he was embarrassed
Noppert was even humiliated by a Quick Boys supporter during a pitch invasion at full-time.
Van Persie took charge of Heerenveen in May 2024, his first managerial position
So you look for excuses. First I have to look at myself. They gave me the opportunity to show myself. If that doesn't work, then it's your fault. It is a world of great men.
“I can only blame myself for this.”
Van Persie has won nine of his 21 games in charge of Heerenveen to date, but led a heavy 9-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in September.