Twente gets ready for KNVB Beker final with season ending run-out

With their spot in the Champions League all ready assured de Tukkers completed the Eredivisie season with a tepid run-out 1-0 loss to Ajax. The match definitely was lacking in excitement as both sides fate was decided before the match and it had the look of a friendly, with the requisite empty seats in the stands. With Ajax in control of the match Urby Emanuelson's free-kick from just outside the area hit the back of the net on the hour.

Of most important to note, Twente came out of the match without injury concerns and can ready for the KNVB Beker final against Heerenveen next Sunday.

De Tukkers secures Champions League spot

De Tukkers solidified a Champions League spot with a 3-0 defeat of AZ. The victory guarantees Steve McClaren's side a second place finish as they head in the season ending match against Ajax with the KNVB Beker final later in the month.

Scoring advances were exclusive to Twente in first forty-five minutes as AZ looked far from the club that dominated the Eredivisie. Marko Arnautović effort seventeen minutes in steered just wide and six minutes later Blaise Kufo's header of Eljero Elia cross came close but throughout the opening half each opportunity was squandered and the match went to the break scoreless. However two minutes into the new half the ageless Kenneth Perez found the back of the net with a curling free-kick from twenty-five metres to the top left corner to make it 1-0 for Twente. On the hour Theo Janssen's corner from the left was headed back in the box by Douglas before Peter Wisgerhof pounded the ball in for a 2-0 lead. A minute later AZ was down a man as Gill Swerts was shown a straight red-card for his challenge of Eljero Elia. AZ should brought the match to within one a few minutes later but Ari turned is close-range effort over the crossbar. Finally with twelve minutes left Blaise Kufo supplied Eljero Elia the ball on the left and after creating some space, sent the ball in for the 3-0 win.

De Friezen draw to Twente

De Friezen came within minutes of an important win over Twente but with a last minute strike the match ended with a 1-1 score. The draw had massive implications on Trond Sollied's side as they fell out of the Europa League spot to fifth but equally have a another twist should the result cause Twente to fall out of a Champions League berth.

As a preview to next months KNVB final the match had the all the tone of a title bout with scoring opportunities limited with resolute defending. After a scoreless half Heerenveen looked like it found the winner goal as former Dinamo Zagreb-man Danijel Pranjić's corner was sent in by Paulo Henrique. However thoughts of three-points disappeared as with time winding down, Twente's Theo Janssen sent in a free-kick from twenty-five metres. What makes the result most intriguing is that the losing finalist for the domestic cup competition (the KNVB Beker in this situation) will qualify for the Europa League if the winners qualify for the Champions League but with Twente not gaining full points they have opened up a chance for Ajax.

Heading into the final two weeks Heerenveen will need help if they are to overtake PSV but first they must defeat ADO Den Haag on Sunday

Twente advances to the final of the KNVB Beker

Twente's remarkable season under Steve McClaren continued as de Tukkers defeated NAC Breda 3-1 in the KNVB Beker semi-final. Twente will now meet the winner of Wednesday Volendam - Heerenveen showdown in the final next month.

NAC took the lead midway of the opening half as Martijn Reuser's provision to Anthony Lurling to the top of the box, was sent in with a seeing-eye strike to the opposite corner. Twente leveled the match eight minutes into the new half as Peter Wisgerhof's perfect chip to the left side of the six-yard box was volleyed to the roof of the net by Theo Janssen. Twente took the lead with twelve minutes remaining as Theo Janssen's free-kick into the box bounded loose to Romano Denneboom who then slotted it into the opposite corner of the net. With three minutes remaining Eljero Elia provided a Blaise Nkufo a well weighted through ball with the captain sending the ball in from a tight angle to the right bringing the match to a 3-1 final.

Twente loses to Feyenoord at De Kuip

Despite outplaying Feyenoord for the balance of the match, De Kuip once again proved to be Twente's undoing as they lost 1-0. A bitter pill to swallow as a victory would have provided de Tukkers a four-point advantage over Ajax as they head to the final three weeks of the season.

Throughout the match Kenneth Perez created problems for Feyenoord with deadly precision on set-pieces. Twenty minutes in he struck the woodwork on a free-kick and consistently put Eljero Elia and Marko Arnautović in position to score. A late effort by Blaise Kufo somehow escaped going in the Feyenoord must have breathed a sigh of relief as the match went to the break scoreless. The theme continued along the same lines after the break but at the seventy-sixth minute Diego Biseswar was racing free in the area before Douglas was adjudged for bringing him down and the spot pointed to. Roy Makaay converted and Feyenoord had the shock 1-0 lead. As time ticked down both Cheikh Tiote and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were sent off, thus adding to the misery of the loss and will now miss next Saturday's match against Heerenveen.

De Tukkers play NEC to 1-1 draw

De Tukkers failed to keep pace with AZ and they were held to a 1-1 draw against N.E.C. in N.E.C. in Nijmegen.

Marko Arnautović gave Twente the lead somewhat haphazardly as Kenneth Perez drive from a central position inadvertently deflected off the Austrian international twenty-three minutes after the start. The lead should have been doubled a few minutes later but Eljero Elia effort was denied and Arnautović sent the rebound over the cross-bar. Continuing like they were headed for the win, Eljero Elia sent the ball into the net with nineteen minutes remaining but the goal was pulled back as offside. However N.E.C. brought the match even with twelve minutes remaining as John Goossens powerfully drove the ball into the top right corner from a long distance lead up by the play of Saidi Ntibazonkiza and Bas Sibum.

In truth this was match featured some of dirtiest play you'll find anywhere starting with Lorenzo Davids two footed attack seven minutes-in that is deserving on a long term suspension. By not dealing with this immediately the match was way out of hand and there was a lot of extra contact away from the ball. With three minutes remaining Youssef El Akchaoui completed a very low class approach as he shoved Romano Denneboom into the players bench, earning a red card.

Twente returns home to play Roda JC next week as they continue on their plan for a berth in next years Champions League.

De Tukkers to challenge AZ

With only six matches remaining in the Eredivisie de Tukkers continue their push for the Champions League as they face N.E.C. in Nijmegen.

For Twente, the arrival of Steve McClaren has been a unequivocal success. The much maligned former head of England has taken the Enschede side to within reach of the championship and the height of European competition.

The former Middlesbrough expressed his pleasure of life and coaching in the Netherlands in media giant Voetbal International:


"I don't miss England. I'm having a great time here. I go to work with pleasure and have no problems with the press. I love this culture."

He further added his respect for club chairman Joop Munsterman:

"He radiates ambition in everything he does, but he also does what he says he will. This is a quality I haven't seen in many board members in the football world."

However in returning to action the manager will have his work cut out for him with a number of injuries to deal with as well as questionable availability for those who were in international action. Lesley Nahrwold and Dario Vujicevic have been called up from Jong FC Twente as Blaise N'Kufo is suspended and Sander Boschker, Ronnie Stam and Patrick Gerritsen are all out injured. In addition to the list is a virtual reprint of a squad list returning from international play last night including Edson Braafheid, Wout Brama, Eljero Elia, Theo Janssen, Nikolay Mihaylov and Marko Arnautović. Each are expected to be available but it is far from being an absolute certainty as Twente looks to close the gap on AZ.

De Tukkers end PSV's hopes

As Blaise Kufo struck the ball into the net Sunday evening, de Tukkers had not only grabbed a 1-1 draw against PSV but they effectively ended the defending champions hopes for the Champions League. While thoughts of catching AZ are reserved only for the most optimistic of thinkers, Twente is control of its own destiny as they hold a three-part margin over third place Ajax.

With Cheik Tioté and Douglas in the starting eleven and Slobodan Rajković and Theo Janssen resigned to the bench, Twente were making a strong tactical statement and limited PSV's attack. An early handball by Ola Toivonen somehow went unpunished the match was without a score till four minutes past the hour when Balázs Dzsudzsák beat Sander Boschker after a great run. Needing a goal Steve McClaren signaled to Theo Janssen to come for Tioté with eighteen minutes remaining and in the final ten minutes Marko Arnautović and Kenneth Perez came close on a few occasions. However with the defending champions clinging to hope, in the final strike of injury time Blaise Kufo severed PSV's chance as he sent in a rebound from Marko Arnautović’s drive bringing the match even.

De Tukkers head to KNVB Beker semi-finals

De Tukkers advanced to the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker with a stunning 1-0 victory over De Graafschap. De Graafschap’s defending was tough throughout the match and while Twente controlled the run of play they couldn’t find a way through often. With two minutes remaining in regulation time Kenneth Perez accepted Blaise N’Kufo through ball and drove the ball off the post from the edge of the area. In a extra time Sander Boschker saved the day holding back Rogier Meijer’s shot from twenty-five metres. However with the match looking like it is headed to the penalty shootout, Austrian international Marko Arnautović accepted Kenneth Perez’s pass and sent the ball in from point-blank range to give Twente the 1-0 win.

De Tukkers now out of UEFA Cup

De Tukkers UEFA Cup hopes ended against Olympique de Marseille, losing out to penalties. After winning in the Marseille 1-0, Twente returned home but could not add to the lead with Ben Arfa leveling the match twenty-four minutes into the match. The Ligue 1 side started very quickly but were held back. Marko Arnautović flourished for Twente, creating and coming close but still never able to break through. Later in the match Cheik Tioté drive from the edge of the area looked to be headed-in before Marseille 'keeper Steve Mandanda pushed it wide. Still with three minutes left in extra time Youssouf Hersi pounded the goal post and the match went to a shoot-out. Finally after sixteen attempts, with Marseille winning 7-6, Twente's UEFA Cup effort came to an end.

De Tukkers over Sparta

De Tukkers visit to Rotterdam concluded with a 2-1 victory over Sparta thanks to Theo Janssen's goal in added time.

Certainly feeling fatigue from the mid-week match against Marseille in the UEFA Cup, Twente's energy level was low. However fortune seemed to fall their way as Sander van Gessel turned in Eljero Elia cross for an own goal after only four minutes. Serbian international Slobodan Rajković was adjudged for a hand ball thirty minutes in and Ruud Knol leveled from the spot. For the balance of the match most of the attacking aspect was that of Steve McClaren’s side however Sparta had done well and deserving of a draw. In a shocking conclusion, in added time Theo Janssen sent a speculative shot from beyond thirty-five metres that somehow evaded Sparta 'keeper Cássio and give Twente the 2-1 victory.

De Tukkers frustrate Marseille in UEFA Cup

De Tukkers frustrated Marseille at home with a 1-0 victory in the UEFA Cup. Steve McClaren's side now are unbeaten in ten matches and in the drivers seat to advance with the return next week in Enschede.

After missing an early attempt, Austrian capped Marko Arnautović turned in Blaise Kufo cross at the twenty-second minute. Following that goal Twente did not threaten again and focused on ball possession with clinical defending. The closest attempt on the goal came with ten minutes remaining with Kufo's header coming off the post, however with that failing the match ended in favour of Twente 1-0.

De Tukkers continue on unbeaten path

De Tukkers regained their winning ways with a 2 - 1 victory over FC Volendam, bringing their unbeaten streak to thirteen matches.

However the visiting side, who are at the bottom of the Eredivisie table did not make it easy and after a penalty was called upon Kenneth Perez in the fifth minute, Paul de Lange converted from the spot. Looking for the equalizer, Eljero Elia was creating problems but two minutes before the half hour Austrian international Marko Arnautović added his tenth of the season. Only six minutes later Twente was the beneficiary of a penalty call themselves and Blaise Kufo gave them home side the lead to stay. Volendam had a great deal of possession in the balance of the half but could not find a way through. Following the break Kenneth Perez was able to create a few chances but until Melvin Platje came in late Volendam hadn't posed much of a threat. Those threats were silenced with quality defending and Steve McClaren's side climbed within nine points of AZ with victory.

Twente rebounds with big win over NAC Breda

After a disappointing draw against Utrecht on the weekend, De Tukkers responded with an overwhelming 4-1 victory over NAC Breda.

Climbing to second place in the table behind runaway leaders AZ, Twente went on the attack early and after a few missed chances, Austrian international Marko Arnautović nodded Ron Stam's pass behind Jelle ten Rouwelaar into the net twenty-two minutes after the start. Nine minutes later Theo Janssen's corner was sent in by Peter Wisgerhof and NAC looked out of the match. The match was getting out of the hand on the hour with Eljero Elia and Fouad Idabdelhay trading goals within two minutes to bring the match to 3-1. To finish the days scoring Blaise Kufo took advantage of a defensive error and delivered the ball to Romano Denneboom to finish a near total domination as time expired.

Twente aims for second

Heerenveen's victory over Ajax has De Tukkers on the verge of second place as Utrecht visits

The departure of Utrecht's manager Wim van Hanegem and technical director Piet Buter just before Christmas has left Ton du Chatinier in-charge. Morten Skoubo and Frank van der Zwam are out with Sander Keller questionable but they will have Simon Cziommer and Mihai Nesu back from suspension.

Steve McClaren has a completely fit squad and looking to extend the nine match unbeaten streak in the Eredivisie

Nikita Rukavytsya on trial with Twente

Nikita Rukavytsya of the A-League's Perth Glory will be joining de Tukkers this week on trial.

In support of the move, Perth Glory CEO Scott Gooch commented:

"Nikita is an outstanding young player who has continued to develop his skills in the positive learning environment we’ve established here in Perth. We are not a club that will stand in the way of the best young talent realising their football dreams, however Nikita is a contracted player and we will always take into account the impact on the club and our stakeholders."

Known for his pace and goal scoring knack the Australian U23 international has had previous looks by Bundesliga side, Steve McClaren is said to be very eager of bringing him on.

Twente get back to training soon!

Following a week on holiday at Club La Manga in Southwestern Spain, which some refer to as a "training camp", de Tukkers return to real work as they fly home in a few hours. I apologize if that sounds negative but I know camps such as these are generally easy going and resort-living isn't the making of elite players and in-fact are a bigger problem as you try to adjust back to playing conditions. So I will cut to the chase and say by all reports Steve McClaren was very "pleased" with the training at the luxury resort and start to prepare for Vitesse Arnhem next Saturday.

PSG v Twente UEFA match preview

At this stage of the UEFA Cup PSG's European efforts have been far from noteworthy. In-fact they have been quite pedestrian and at every turn it seems the club is denying its efforts are less than one-hundred per-cent. The opening match against Schalke 04 was abysmal and a questionable legitimate attempt to win at best with the Racing Santander and Manchester City matches thereafter, while they were fine displays, it did not give you the impression the UEFA Cup is a priority for this year.

This of-course leaves Parisian supporters were a number of peculiar questions because regardless of how many times Paul Le Guen pounds the gavel that he won't sacrifice the domestic campaign for the UEFA, I doubt the will be "all in" for the match.

Heading into the match PSG sits in the basement of Group A and as I thought at the draw, the most difficult group for PSG to escape from. While that brings up the question of whether management was ever going to put up the fight to actually advance is a debate for another time the point is, they are in last place and not only need a victory but require Man City to defeat Racing Santander.

In going against Twente, let me state very straight and to the point - this is one of the biggest stories in the coaching world today. Whilst Steve McClaren suffered through a great deal of ridicule of his closing moments leading England, he has down a remarkable job with Twente and they are without question the hottest club in the Eredivisie in the last four matches, chewing and spitting out opponents with thirteen goal differential during the period. While their loyal supporters will do their best to look away from the mere mention of it but this could be the year Twente hoists hardware domestically and if so, much will be owed to Steve McClaren.

Twente possesses a well-rounded lineup of veterans Kenneth Perez, Blaise Kufo enjoying a triumphant renaissance along with a younger group of Footballers whose names will become frequent taglines soon. Wout Brama and Eljero Elia overflow with talent, with the latter seemingly unstoppable of late and will be a mountain of headaches for the PSG defending crew.

Leading into the match both sides are relatively fit with the exception of Mateja Kežman however that gives little insight into how PSG will approach the match. Given the club in sitting in tie with Bordeaux and Olympique Marseille only three points behind Lyonnais, I do not expect them to jeopardize the weekend match Valenciennes with an all-out attacking effort.

Twente continues to win

De Tukkers continued on their winning path defeating FC Groningen 4-1. It was Steve McClaren's side fourth successive victory in which they have outscored the opposition a stunning eighteen goals during the period. With the victory, Twente sits in third place of the table, breathing down the neck of Ajax two points in front and first-place AZ a further three points ahead.

In a brilliant man-of-the-match performance Eljero Elia set-up the first goal seventeen minutes in as his cross to nineteen year-old Marko Arnautović was directed in from ten meters by the young Austrian international. Only four minutes later Ronnie Stam provided Eljero Elia a perfect opportunity to which he didn't disappoint making it 2-0. A defensive lapse allowed host Groningen cut the margin in added-time before the break as Danny Holla's corner was nodded in by former FK Partizan man Goran Lovre. However after the break, the host poured forward and came with a whisper of equalizing the match but Douglas Franco walled off Koen van der Laak's attempt before it crossed the line. However with twenty-two minutes remaining Ronnie Stam pounced on a rebound of his own drive and delicately lifted the ball over the Groningen 'keeper Luciano. As the match slowly came to a end Blaise Kufo latched onto a errant ball and made it mistake sending it to the back of the net, bringing the match to its final 4-1 score-line.

de Tukkers can't be stopped!

De Tukkers completed a brilliant week with a breath-taking 6-2 defeat of Sparta Rotterdam in-which the scoreline was actually flattering to the visitors from Rotterdam. Steve McClaren's side took at resounding 5-0 lead starting first surging Kenneth Perez deflected Wout Brama's corner at the twenty second minute. With the flood gates trembling, Blaise Kufo doubled the scoreline a minute past the half hour mark as he nodded Eljero Elia's cross to the back of the net. Only seven minute's later Kufo repeated his heroics, this time connecting on Ronnie Stam's cross. If their was a hope, ever for the most optimistic of types it vanished two minutes before the break as Donovan Sljingard's backpass drifted behind Sparta goalkeeper Harald Wapenaar to make it 4-0. The fireworks slowed after the restart but at with eleven minutes that changed dramatically. Austrian international Marko Arnautovic made it 5-0 at the seventy-ninth minute after receiving a well-weighted through ball from Stein Huysegems before Rydell Poepon and Arne Slot added consolation goals to give the scoreline a more respectable look. Youssouf Hersi added an exclamation mark for De Tukkers as he scored as time wound down to take the match to a 6-2 score.