Excelsior are writing club history with one of their best ever starts to a season, underlined by a convincing 0-3 away win at Willem II. The Kralingers are fifth in the Eredivisie after four games with nine points, a +7 goal difference, and sit just six points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar.
How did the win at Willem II unfold?
According to a report by Goal.com, Excelsior won 0-3 in Tilburg last Saturday. David Garden opened the scoring in the eighth minute following a cross from Irakli Yegoian. Rick Meissen doubled the lead around the half-hour mark with a header from a corner. Willem II, who had 59% possession according to Forza Football statistics, rarely threatened. Yegoian sealed the result in the 85th minute with a hard shot into the near corner. The BBC noted Excelsior had six shots on target from fourteen attempts, compared to just two from the home side.
Why is this season's start historic?
Voetbal International points out that Excelsior's nine points from four matches marks the second-best league start in club history. Only in the 1979/80 and 2010/11 seasons did the team have more points after five games, with ten. The current run of four consecutive away wins is actually a club record. Manager Ruben den Uil called the start "unprecedented" in comments to ESPN. "If you see Yegoian today, Hartjes, Meissen, Widell, Van Gassel. That is top quality," he said. The team is continuing the strong finish from last season, where they secured safety with ten points from their final four matches.
What are Excelsior's current statistics?
Excelsior have scored ten goals and conceded three this season. The team is currently fifth in the standings with a +7 goal difference. Their recent form is WWLW, representing three wins and one loss. The next fixture is a home match against Groningen on October 11th. Groningen currently sit ninth. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule and the current squad list on the site. The team still faces tough away games against NEC and Ajax in the coming weeks.
How important was Irakli Yegoian against Willem II?
Onefootball named Irakli Yegoian their Player of the Match. The attacker provided the assist for the 0-1 and scored the 0-3 himself. He registered three shots on target during the game. His performances exemplify the growth many players in the squad are experiencing. Den Uil emphasized this to ESPN: "Then you see that guys have played a year with us. The other guys grow along with it." The Georgian international is one of the key figures in the attack.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
The primary goal for Excelsior remains Eredivisie survival. The historic start does provide a buffer and confidence for the months ahead. Last year the team lost 5-0 in Nijmegen, but their current away form is excellent. The defence, marshalled by Casper Widell who made eighteen clearances against Willem II, looks solid. The team plays at home against Groningen on October 11th, a direct rival in the middle section of the table.
