- SC Heerenveen were knocked out of the KNVB Cup after a 3-2 extra-time defeat
- An ill-fated tactical change left Robin van Persie red-faced after the final whistle
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Robin van Persie’s ‘illogical’ tactical gamble failed to pay off as his SC Heerenveen side crashed out of the KNVB Cup at the hands of amateur opponents last night.
Heerenveen, ninth in the Eredivisie, were knocked out after a humiliating 3-2 extra-time defeat despite leading the game 2-1 before Van Persie’s ill-fated decision.
The head coach, who took charge in May 2024 in his first managerial role, brought on goalkeeper Andries Noppert to deal with Quick Boys’ aerial threat but an error from the substitute saw him give away a penalty, from which the hosts equalised.
Noppert’s embarrassment was then compounded when he was beaten by Levi van Duijn’s header at the death, leaving Heerenveen reeling from a shock setback.
Mickey van der Hart had started the game between the sticks and delivered a strong display, forcing Van Persie to reveal post-match that the change was for technical reasons and not to allow Noppert a farewell before a potential move to Argentina.
‘I looked at the time left to play, the score and what they were going to do,’ said Van Persie. ‘They were going to play 3-3-4, with two towering strikers. I expected a lot of crosses. I looked at what we needed as a team. And that was Andries.’
Van Persie did, however, admit the substitution was unusual, adding: ‘It almost never happens in football, so I understand that it feels illogical to people.
‘But the fact that it almost never happens was no reason for me not to do this. And we have discussed this often with Mickey and Andries in recent months.’
Quick Boys’ match winner Van Duijn later claimed that the minnows believed Noppert’s surprise introduction was ‘doomed to fail’.
The stopper had last been in action on November 23 and took to the pitch after a short warm-up, leading to theories that a lack of rhythm may have led to his mistakes.
‘That could be possible,’ said Van Persie. ‘But on the other hand, I don’t think it was a penalty and with that other goal it was also difficult for Andries to do something.
‘You can think of all kinds of reasons why that substitution was not a good choice. But I mainly look at why it was a good choice.’
Noppert made no excuses for his performance and said he was ‘ashamed’.
‘I had the feeling that I touched the ball and that it was not a penalty,’ he said. ‘But it happened to me. This is unacceptable and a disgrace. I should be ashamed.
‘Then you look for excuses. I have to look at myself first. I was given the chance to show myself. If that doesn’t work, then it’s your own fault. It’s a big man’s world.
‘I can only blame myself for this.’
Van Persie has won nine of his 21 games in charge of Heerenveen to date but presided over a chastening 9-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in September.
