Heerenveen boss expects tough challenge against Feyenoord in KNVB Cup tie | OneFootball

Kees van Wonderen expects a tough battle for a place in the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup on Wednesday when they face Feyenoord, Voetbal International reports.

Heerenveen face the Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord, who are the favourites to win the competition this season. Van Wonderen sees the second confrontation as a great challenge.

Their opponents have a busy fixture schedule ahead of them as they continue to push on in the domestic cup competition as well as lead in the Eredivisie title race and restart their Europa League campaign next week too.

Despite the fixture congestion, Van Wonderen believes the Rotterdam-club are not going to treat the KNVB Cup less than the other competitions they are in.

He said: “I think you want to participate as long as possible on all fronts at a top club. I don’t expect presents. Of course Feyenoord also wants to go to that cup final, so it will be full resistance. It’s going to be a tough match.”

According to Van Wonderen, Heerenveen must have a good day on Wednesday to have a chance against Feyenoord.

“What we need is energy. You have a chance if everything is right.”

For the Frisians it is in any case an opportunity to wash away Saturday’s painful 1-4 defeat against RKC Waalwijk.

Van Wonderen watched his side lose convincingly to their visitors at the weekend but was not too disappointed with the result – something that Arne Slot has echoed in his press conference remarks.

He added: “I didn’t think it was an off day, but the scoreline says 4-1.”

In the second half, every shot from RKC flew in, while Heerenveen missed chance after chance.

“Is that the reason to throw the whole thing upside down? For a long time we had a problem playing more attractively, being dominant on the ball and creating chances. We played well in the first hour, but a game lasts ninety minutes. Sometimes inexplicable things happen.”

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips