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Big Test for FC Twente and Umbrella Man

July 29th, 2009 | By: Jan | 22 Comments »

Even before the national competition starts, FC Twente will face their biggest game of the season this Wednesday in Lisbon.

The Tukkers will need to qualify for the fourth round of the CL, the last hurdle towards the Millionaire’s Ball.

“We do have some challenges this season,” said coach Steve McClaren before the first leg. “And the first one is tonight. It’s vital to get a good result here and finish it at home, supported by our twelth man, the supporters.

The number two of last season – and runner up in the Dutch Cup – had a mediocre pre-season. Saturday they lost a friendly against Emmen – 3-1 – and earlier on Swansea City and AA Gent seemed too big a hurdle to take.

Although Twente did beat Sporting Braga, Borussia Monchengladbach and Zwolle and they drew against Schalke 04. “The last months were tough. We needed to replace good players but I’m happy with the signings we did. Some young and talented Dutch lads and some international players. But we’ll need to gel a team together and that will take some time and effort.”

McClaren obviously means players like Elia (Hamburg), Braafheid (Bayern) and Arnautovic (Inter?) as the players he misses, while Bernard Parker – who impressed with South Africa – and Bryan Ruiz (AA Gent) who came over.

In his sophomore season, the former England coach needs to better – or at least meet – the result of last season. “I told the players it won’t be easy to do so, but it’s doable. Even this season, we need to endeavor to perform at our best.”

For the Sporting Lisbon game, McClaren finds hope in the fact that the pressure is on for the Portuguese. Last season, Arsenal blocked Twente’s inroads into the CL. Sporting did partake in the Champions League and was ousted by Bayern Munich.

“These games are very big for us. Sporting is a big name club, they have good players and an impressive venue. I know the club from my time at Middlesbrough. We played them in the UEFA Cup and I remember it to be tough games. We did do well, but we lost. The pressure is on them. They need to qualify, for us it’s a big bonus if we do.”

Parker won’t be able to play for the Tukkers. The South African international does have his work permit but the Serbian football federation needs to clear the player still.

Tags: Braafheid, CL and UEFA, Elia, McClaren, Peres, Sporting, Twente

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Comments

By dirk v.d.Berg | July 29th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

Twente’s keeper Boshker was just sent off, could mean trouble for Twente.

Posted from Canada

By dirk v.d.Berg | July 29th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

They didn’t score on the resultant penalty, lucky break, if Twente can pull through this, with a 0-0 they’ll be in good shape to advance.

Posted from Canada

By goose | July 29th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

50th minute ; still 0-0 these portugeese really are anoying divers…i can see where Ronnie learned his trade

Posted from Netherlands

By sonneveld | July 29th, 2009 at 4:27 pm

83 min 0-0

how come we have to play sporting but

Levadia – Debrecen

is a matchup?

By dirk v.d.Berg | July 29th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Well UEFA wanted to have more smaller countries in the CL, so they proposed a method which pits all of the “non champion” teams against each other. So because Holland was high enough that our second place team got to go into qualifying, they had to be paired up against another “non champion”, aka Sporting. Levadia and Debrecen are both the Champions of their leagues so they only have to play other champions.

It gets worse, because if Twente make it through to the playoff round, the other non-champions from England and Spain and Italy come in, such as Arsenal, Atletico, and Fiorentina.

Posted from Canada

By susanne | July 29th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Decent result for Twente. N’Kufo was almost German there, in the dying seconds!

Home game will be exciting. 11 against 11.

Posted from Netherlands

By finnster01 | July 29th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

I just love the term Tukker. I love the people too. Like Hunters Dad. They don’t make them like that anymore.

By Felipe | July 29th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

Good result for Twente. Kind of heroism, I dare say. Now, Grolsch Veste.

Of course both teams are playing to decide who’ll be thrashed at the play-offs, but there’s still no taxes for dreaming…

Posted from Brazil

By Jan | July 29th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

What a match!! I’ll come back with a review soon…

By Felipe | July 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

I forgot to write: 15 years after, another Mihaylov saves his team by saving a penalty kick…

In 1994, it was Borislav, the father, at WC Second Round, against Mexico. Now, Nikolay, the son.

Posted from Brazil

By dirk v.d.Berg | July 29th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

This Mihaylov guy is supposed to be the real deal, on loan from LIverpool I believe, maybe he can work his way into a starting spot after today’s performance.

Posted from Canada

By roger pluijmackers | July 29th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

bradley wiggings had a great game hope he plays in the return fixture!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By arash vafadari | July 29th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

oh come on stop this widgery doe lance armstrong was a much better choice!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Tiju | July 29th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

@who is this arash vafadari.you sounds like an indian.

Posted from India

By Jan | July 29th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

Lance Armstrong playing for FC Twente, eh?

By Carlos | July 30th, 2009 at 3:27 am

tiju – vafadari could also be Iranian . Isn’t it wonderful to have so many different cultures/colours/nationalities here ! All Oranje Lovers !

Posted from Singapore

By Tiju | July 30th, 2009 at 5:15 am

@carlos buddy may be.but i dont think he is an orange fan.he seems like a lurker

Posted from India

By Carlos | July 30th, 2009 at 5:22 am

But Bro ! Lurkers eventually come out of their shell and start chatting & contributing. Thats the fun of Lurking. You know one Lurker may have a complete dossier on your contributions and submitting it for his MIT thesis on “Fanatical Fans” and named it the 4Ts of Oranje (Trials n Tribulations of Tireless Tiju)

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | July 30th, 2009 at 9:29 am

Hahahaa…. … Carlos a CLASSIC!

This post goes into the Hall of Fame!

By finnster01 | July 30th, 2009 at 9:36 am

@Carlos: I am still laughing!!

I think we all have to come visit Tiju’s village in India at some point, and bring Dirk Kuyt, Castelen, and David Beckham for good measure.

By Mohamed | July 30th, 2009 at 9:40 am

Aston villa wants royston drenthe and KJH