ADO ends competition with victory against Jong AZ

ADO Den Haag has won its last game of the season. On a visit to Jong AZ, the team of retiring coach Dick Advocaat no longer played for anything, but it did triumph thanks to goals from Thomas Verheydt and Joël Zwarts: 0-2.

Although there was nothing left to gain for ADO Den Haag in Wijdewormer in North Holland, a considerable group of supporters from The Hague made the effort to drive to the AFAS Training Complex. They saw many players’ last achievements in the green-yellow outfit, Dick Advocaat’s last match as ADO trainer and as a reward a victory for the club from The Hague.

Advocaat changed his line-up considerably compared to the match against Helmond Sport last week. That’s not how Kilian Nikiema played, but this time Hugo Wentges, who had recovered from an injury. Luuk Koopmans, Xander Severina, Denzel Hall, Tyrese Asante and Finn van Breemen, coveted by FC Basel, were missing from the club from The Hague. That’s why Amir Absalem and Daryl Werker got minutes in the back. Joey Sleegers returned from injury.

ADO was the better team in the first half. Thomas Verheydt was already close to the opening goal with a header after a few minutes of play and Boy Kemper and Joey Sleegers (headers from corner kicks) also created danger. The first goal of the game, by Verheydt after 32 minutes, was a logical consequence of the dominance of The Hague. The ADO striker headed home on the instructions of Absalem and scored for the sixth game in a row.

Young AZ only became dangerous after 44 minutes via Mexx Meerdink, but he fired wide from the edge of the penalty area. Shortly before, Sleegers, who had just returned from an injury, had gone to the side with an injury. In a leisurely second half, it seemed that no more goals were scored, until substitute Joël Zwarts was still accurate a minute before the end in his last game for ADO: 0-2.

ADO registered its thirteenth victory of this season. You can now go on holiday at the Hague club, although an important week awaits next week. Then there must be clarity about the arrival of a general and technical director.