Van der Pennen stays with Dordrecht

01 July 2002

Dennis van der Pennen has made the move to Dordrecht a permanent one after spending the last two seasons on loan to the Eerste Divisie club from RKC. The 26 year-old midfielder has signed a deal for 3 years.

RKC have new sponsor in VHS

25 Jun 2002

RKC have a new sponsor in the shape of property developers VHS who've signed a contract for two seasons with an option for two more. The Waalwijkers will receive €1 million Euros per season with a bonus of €100,000 Euros if the club earn themselves a place in European football or reach the final of the Amstel Cup. VHS were ADO Den Haag's shirt sponsor during the last 4 seasons but were unable to reach agreement with the Eerste Divisie side regarding a new deal. VHS director Ed Maas explained: "We've had 6 or 7 clubs who wanted to do business with us and we narrowed the choice down to RKC and RBC, finally choosing RKC because they play Ere Divisie football and have the reputation of being honest and solid as a team which fits our own image."

RKC sign youth talent

25 Jun 2002

RKC's technical staff have signed two new talents in the shape of 19 year-old Jason Oost, topscorer of Feyenoord's youth team, and goalie Arnold Hofmans from FC Den Bosch. The club is also negotiating the signing of Heerenveen's Santi Kolk. Technical director Marcel Brands explained that the club is looking to strengthen their defence after the exit of Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica and Kalezic.

RBC return Van Loenhout to Waalwijk

20 Jun 2002

RBC's new trainer Chris Dekker has told John van Loenhout that his hire contract will not be renewed and the midfielder can return to RKC Waalwijk. The Roosendaalers have just hired Ajax's Mitchell Piqué to play in the left-half position.

RKC's Brands denies Roda move

18 Jun 2002

Marcel Brands has issued a statement denying the stories that he's moving to work for Roda JC and making clear his intention to stay on as RKC's technical director. Brands held talks with the Kerkrade side last week as Roda wanted him to take over from Nol Hendriks. Dutch provincial newspaper "Het Brabants Dagblad" claims that, despite his denial, Brands will be moving after all and that the Waalwijkers, who are in negotiations with a new sponsor, do not need this kind of publicity at the moment.

Maarten Schops on trial with Hearts

14 Jun 2002

Former Lommel, Roda JC and RBC Roosendaal player Maarten Schops has been invited for a trial with Scottish side Heart of Midlothian and the 28 year-old midfielder will be travelling shortly to Edinburgh. Schops was dropped by RKC Waalwijk some time ago after a series of disciplinary problems and last month told to look for a new club after his contract, which ran till 2004, was annulled.

RKC's Nascimento signs for RBC

31 May 2002

David Nascimento is leaving RKC Waalwijk for RBC Roosendaal. The 35 year-old Portugese defender has signed a contract for one season with the newly repromoted side who are the 4th Dutch club he'll play for after earlier spells with Roda JC, FC Utrecht and lastly RKC Waalwijk.

Schops and RKC part ways

31 May 2002

Maarten Schops and RKC Waalwijk part ways as of July 1st after the KNVB's (Dutch FA) arbitration committee gave permission for his contract to be terminated. RKC agreed to the terms of the annullment of the deal which still had two years to run. The Belgian player's negative on-pitch behaviour lost him his place in the squad some time ago.

Petrov and Van Eijkeren exit Den Haag

30 May 2002

ADO Den Haag are bidding farewell to Youri Petrov and Emiel van Eijkeren. The 27 year-old Russian forward is returning to RKC, where his contract runs till 2003, after a season on loan to the Eerste Divisie side while Van Eijkeren's contract is not being renewed. The 34 year-old former AZ, NEC and Utrecht striker played 29 Eerste Divisie matches last season, scoring 16 goals.

RKC sign 4th Belgian talent

17 May 2002

RKC have snapped up another Belgian youngster: Davy Claessens has followed the example of his teammates Tim Aelbrecht, Kris Ottoy and Koen Van Der Heyden by signing a deal for 2 years with the Waalwijkers. Aelbrecht (20), Van Der Heyden (19) and Claessens (18) are midfielders while Ottoy (17) is a keeper and all are Belgian youth internationals. The intention is to let the quartet gain experience with RKC's reserve team.

RKC extend Sinouh's contract

11 May 2002

RKC keeper Khalid Sinouh has had his contract extended for another year with the Waalwjkers. The 27 year-old has been standing in for the injured no.1 goalie Rob van Dijk during the latter part of the season.

RKC win friendly v EURO 1988 Champs

08 May 2002

RKC Waalwijk won a benefit match played last night against a team made up of Oranje players who beat Germany to win the European Championships in 1988. The money received is going to benefit the SOS Childrens' Villages Charity. The most remarkable thing about the match was the fact that Marco van Basten was voted "Man of the Match" before the kickoff but the legendary striker had to leave after only 5 minutes with a twisted knee.

RKC talk to Belgian goalie Kris Ottoy

01 May 2002

RKC Waalwijk are going to be holding talks on Friday with 17 year-old Belgian goalie Kris Ottoy, currently playing for Eendracht Aalst. The Belgian side have recently been declared bankrupt and the youngster has only played two matches since the club went bust.

Arjan Human leaves ADO Den Haag

26 Apr 2002

ADO Den Haag's Arjan Human has decided to end his professional career at the end of the season. The 23 year-old striker has been on loan to the Haagenaars from RKC this season but has decided to return to 'normal' life. He's seen little action this season in the Hague and, at the beginning of April, the Waalwijkers told him that he would not be returning to RKC either! He'll continue to play as an amateur while continuing his study which he 'abandoned' in order to play professional football.

Feskens new RKC youth trainer

21 Apr 2002

John Feskens has signed a one-year contract with RKC to look after their youth squad. The 36 year-old former midfielder was the most successful, and most experienced, footballer in a  'youthful' Excelsior team for the last 3 seasons. He made his professional debut for Willem II on May 14th 1983 in the 3-0 away defeat at Sparta. After 15 seasons with the "Tricolores" he moved to NAC in 1997 before ending up at Excelsior.

RKC beat NAC 4-1 20 Apr 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Govedarica, Nascimento, De Graef, Van den Berg, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen, Yuri Cornelisse. Roda lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Stewart, Petö, Schreuder, Sérgio, Salmon, Bobson. NAC needed a Utrecht beat RKC 2-1 14 Apr 2002 Utrecht Lineup:Harald Wapenaar, Stijn Vreven, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pascal Bosschaart, Stefaan Tanghe, Jean Paul de Jong (70th Robert Roest), Arno Arts (70th Tom van Mol), Dirk Kuyt, Igor Gluscevic (77th Arco Jochemsen), Dave van den Bergh, Karim Touzani. RKC Lineup: Rob van Dijk, Michael Lamey, Patrick van Diemen, Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Virgilio Texeira (84th Giovanni Franken), Zeljko Petrovic (80th Ivar van Dinteren), Dejan Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse (88th John van Loenhout), Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen. Utrecht dominated the 1st half but it took until the 31st minute before Igor Gluscevicd the score. The Domstad side should have netted another 2 or 3 goals in the 1st half but RKC's keeper Van Dijk kept his team in the match with a number of fine saves including stopping a Dirk Kuyt spot shot. Although Patrick van Diemen equalized in the 54th minute Utrecht kept pressing forward and, in the 79th, they scored again. Stefaan Tanghe picked up the ball after Van Dijk had fumbled it and shot hard  into thegoal. RKC beat Twente 3 - 1 24 Mar 2002 RKC sneak into the European-football-earning-zone after their home win over lowly placed Twente. Kurt van de Paar put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute of the game with his 3rd goal of the season. Yuri Cornelisse pulled one back in the 30th and Patrick van Diemen nosed the home side ahead 20 minutes into the 2nd half with his second goal of the season. In the 72nd minute Petrovic went for an early shower after seeing red for kicking his opponent instead of the ball. Jochem Jansen put the final 3 - 1 score on the board in the 81st minute. Patrick Pothuisen was also sent off with just one minute left on the clock after receiving his 2nd yellow card of the evening. RKC beat NEC 2 - 1 17 Mar 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Putter. NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Wisgerhof, Hesp, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Wielaert, Latuheru, Ax, Dennis de Nooijer and Jansen. The Waalwijkers had the best chances and NEC played the better football this afternoon. The home team went ahead when Jochen Janssen scored in the 27th minute but Dennis de Nooijer equalized for NEC in the 56th. RKC clinched the points as RKC show interest in Serghino Greene 15 Mar 2002 RKC are showing an interest in Ajax youth player Serghino Greene, currently on loan to Eerste Divisie side Haarlem. The 19 year-old was the subject of Anderlecht's interest and they offered him a deal for 5 years which he found too long a contract and turned it down. Perhaps the Waalwijkers will be able to make him an offer he can't refuse! Oranje 1988 play RKC in benefit match 15 Mar 2002 The Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988 by beating their traditional 'foes' Germany in the final will be turning out on May 7th to play against RKC Waalwijk in a charity match to benefit the SOS childrens village scheme. All 18 players in the original squad have agreed to take part : Hans van Breukelen, Joop Hiele, Berry van Aerle, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ronald Koeman, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Koevermans, Wilbert Suvrijn, Gerald Vanenburg, Aron Winter, Jan Wouters, John van 't Schip, Willem Kieft, John Bosman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten will all be there. The kickoff in the Mandemakers stadium is at 20.00! RKC extend Nascimento's contract 12 Mar 2002 RKC have extended veteran defender David Nascimento's contract for another year. The 35 year-old made his debut for the Waalwijkers in the 1991/1992 season and returned to the club after spells with Utrecht and Roda.  RKC offer Hoogendorp new deal 11 Mar 2002 RKC want to breakRick Hoogendorp's current contract and offer the striker an improved deal running till 2006. The 27 year-old striker is only one goal away from becoming the Waalwijkers all-time top Ere Divisie scorer, he's currently scored a total of 46 goals for them since he joined. Marco Boogers, currently playing for Dordrecht'90, is the holder of the record on 47 goals. Hoogendorp has put away 101 goals in 244 matches during his professional career for RKC, Celta de Vigo, Dordrecht'90, MVV and Den Haag. Heerenveen beat RKC 2 - 0 09 Mar 2002 Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Jensen, Selakovic, Väyrynen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Van den Berg, Govedarica,  De Graef, Petrovic, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp, Putter and Molhoek. Heerenveen climb to 4th place Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1 03 Mar 2002 Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played. RKC hire PSV's Guido Budziak 01 Mar 2002 RKC have hired PSV's 19 year-old goalie Guido Budziak till the end of the season as a replacement for their own keeper, the  injured Rob van Dijk, who tore a tendon in his knee last weekend during the match against AZ. End of season for RKC's Rob van Dijk 25 Feb 2002 RKC's goalkeeper Rob van Dijk will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in yesterday's 3 - 2 win against AZ when he was carried off on a stretcher after only 18 minutes. He'll be out of action for 2 to 3 months and will be replaced by Khalid Sinouh who recently decided to extend his contract with the club in the hope of seeing more 1st team action. RKC beat AZ 3 - 2 24 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Kalezic, De Graef, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Kolk, Putter and Molhoek.  AZ lineup: Nijkamp, Lee, Fortes R., Wijker, Opdam, Perez, Robbemond, Lindenbergh, Van Galen, Nelisse and Huiberts. RKC will be pleased with this win which keeps their hopes alive of maybe ending the season in the top 5. The home team began rather cautiously and Kenneth Perez was able to pounce on a bad clearance to put the Alkmaarders ahead in the 8th minute. The advantage didn't last long as Robert Fuchs equalized in the 14th minute with a fine header, from an even finer Patrick van Diemen ball. Santi Kolk headed in the 2nd on the hour and later, as RKC countered, the Haagenaar passed to Michael Lamey, who slotted home the 3rd in the 76th minute. Robin Nelisse got a 90th minute 2nd goal for the visitors but it was too late to make an impact. Bad news for the Waalwijkers was goalie Rob van Dijk's departure for the dressing room with a serious knee injury in the 18th minute. The win takes the Waalwijkers into 7th place on 28 points from 34 games from 24 played while AZ stay where they were on 29 points from 24 played. RKC's Khalid Sinouh to extend contract 24 Feb 2002 RKC's reserve goalie Khalid Sinouh has told the club he wants to accept their offer of an extended stay and has turned down the opportunity to go to Cambuur Leeuwarden in order to stay in Waalwijk. He's been offered a deal for another 3 years but  actually wanted more. Nonetheless, he's still negotiating with the club and Sinouh is optimistic about his chances of seeing more 1st team action when the contract of no.1 choice keeper Rob van Dijk runs out in 2004. Ajax beat RKC 3 - 1 10 Feb 2002 Ajax lineup: Grim, Vierklau, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas and Wamberto. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Diemen, Molhoek, De Graef, Putter and Hoogendorp. Nikos Machlas really seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman, maybe there was something in his story that he lost all self-confidence under Co Adriaanse. In any case the Greek striker put the Amsterdammers ahead at the end of a poorng 45 minutes and added a 2nd (his 5th in 3 games) in the 75th.  Ajax were the better team but couldn't translate their 'superiority' into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net! After the break RKC exerted more pressure, Dejan Govedarica getting one back for the Waalwijkers in the 80th, but André Bergdølmo put away a spot shot in the 88th for the 3 - 1. Ajax stay breathing down Feyenoord's neck, both teams on 45 points from 21 games, the Rotterdammers just ahead on goal difference. RKC stay where they were in 8th on 31 from 23 played. Martin Jol extends contract with RKC 09 Feb 2002 RKC's trainer Martin Jol has told the club's general manager Marcel Brandts that he's planning to extend his contract with the Waalwijkers for an extra year. There's still one and a half years to go on his existing deal and he recently turned down the opportunity to take over at 1. FC Köln. RKC beat PSV 2 - 1 05 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kalezic, Petrovic, Kolk, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse. PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vogel, Bruggink, Gakhokidze, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman. RKC get their first home win against PSV ever Martin Jol favourite for 1.FC Köln job 05 Feb 2002 RKC's Martin Jol is currently favourite to take over at Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. The G RKC extend veterans' contracts 02 Feb 2002 RKC have offered to extend the contracts of veterans Zeljko Petrovic, Carlos van Wanrooy and David Nascimento for an extra year. Other veterans Dejan Govedarica (with the Waalwijkers since 1998) and Darije Kalezic (7 years with the club) are not so lucky and will have to look for a new club at the end of this season. RKC lose to  Willem II 0 - 1 27 Jan 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Govedarica, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Van Wanrooy, Hoogendorp, Putter and Yuri. Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Willem II may have been playing 'pretty' football in their matches before the winter break but a series of 10 draws brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Determined not to repeat that mistake trainer Hans Westerhof decided it was time to 'get tough' and the new tactic bore fruit against RKC in a highly charged 'Brabant derby'. Tarik Sektioui scored the match's only goal for the "Tricolores" with a header from a Denny Landzaat freekick in the 22nd. For RKC, ex-Volendammer Eddy Putter struck a 20 metre shot which hit the bar and, after the break, Cornelisse saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar and cross the line but had it disallowed, the 'goal' escaping the view of the officials! The Waalwijkers' frustrations mounted and, in the person of Van Wanrooy, boiled over as he had a bit of a punch-up with the 'Tricolores' bench. He was awarded a yellow card when surely a red card was deserved! The points lift Willem II into 10th place on 25 from 20 played while RKC drop to 8th on 28 from 20. Friendly Roundup 20 Jan 2002 RKC beat RBC 5 - 0 with no less than 4 goals from Rick Hoogendorp and a 5th from David Nascimento. RKC to let veterans go 14 Jan 2002 RKC want to make a fresh start next season with a younger squad than at present while at the same time reducing the numbers involved to 22 players. 3 of their 5 veterans will have to go in the summer when it's time to extend (or not) various contracts leaving Zeljko Petrovic, David Nascimento, Dejan Govedarica, Darije Kalezic and Carlos van Wanrooy wondering whether they've still got much of a future with the Waalwijkers. Vitesse and RKC draw 1 - 1 22 Dec 2001 Vitesse lineup: Jevric, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Peeters and Martel. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen and Yuri Cornelisse. Vitesse went down 4 - 1 to Den Bosch and 5 - 1 to Ajax in their last two matches but were unable to change their fortunes in this match. RKC could have gone a couple of goals up after Gary de Graef put away the first in the 1st minute but Nanu cleared Peter van den Berg's header off the line and another attempt hit the woodwork. Vitesse tried to get into the match but were too disorganised and sloppy to put together threatening moves. Ruud Knol headed in the equalizer from a Didier Martel corner in the 23rd. After the break the Arnhemmers were more agressive and Martel's run ended with a penalty for De Graef's handsball. Unfortunately Kreek didn't get it past goalie Van Dijk and both teams we Volendam's Putter moves to RKC 20 Dec 2001 Volendam's Eddy Putter is set to move to RKC during the winter break. The 19 year-old striker was bought by the Waalwijkers last season and left to ripen in the Eerste Divisie but has now been called up earlier than expected due to the large amount of injured players at his new club. The youth international has played 46 games and scored 12 goals for Volendam. RKC and Sparta draw 1 - 1 16 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Bouchiba, Winter, Boukhari, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. The visitors may have been missing Danny Koevermans but they still chose to go on the attack and Nourdin Boukhari put them ahead after 11 minutes. Defending their half for the remainder of theng 45 minutes they left little room for the Waalwijkers to createngs although Rick Hoogendorp came close to the equalizer. RKC had more luck after the break and some poor defending gave Hoogendorp the chance to put away his 100th professional goal in 7 seasons for the equalizer in the 58th. Van der Heyden signs for RKC 14 Dec 2001 ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heyden has signed a contract with RKC for 5 seasons - the 19 year-old midfielder joined the Eerste Divisie side last summer, after playing as an amateur, and immediately earned himself a place in the team. NAC lose to last minute RKC goal 0 - 1 08 Dec 2001 NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. A last minute goal by Rick Hoogendorp in the 90th gave the Waalwijkers 3 valuable points which unfortunately don't actually move them any higher up the table because their nearest rival, PSV, was already 4 points clear before the start of the match. The win was pretty undeserved as NAC were clearly the better team but Rob van Dijk made a series of fine saves to keep the scoreboard empty and the Waalwijkers in the match. After the break Earnest Stewart, Youssouf Hersi and Glenn Salmon all failed to score for the home team and Rick Hoogendorp showed them how it is done. This was his 100th professional goal in his 236th professional match - he scored his first prof-goal on October 8th 1994 for Den Haag against Telstar. Tonight's defeat ends the run of unbeaten home matches that NAC have enjoyed so far and they stay where they were in 5th place! RKC beat Roda 3 - 0 01 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Roda lineup: Kalac, Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Sonkaya, Gregoor van Dijk, Nygaard, Van Dessel, Lawal, Zafarin and Anastasiou. Roda were the better team in the 1st half but neglected to convert their chances into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Lawal and Anastasiou both failed to put them away while Rob van Dijk was showing good form in goal for RKC. Robert Fuchs gave the Waalwijkers a one goal advantage to take into the dressing room in the 44th. Carlos van Wanrooy scored the 2nd in the 59th and Dejan Govedarica made it 3 - 0 in the 72nd. They earn themselves 3 points but don't change position. RKC lose to Feyenoord 2 - 3 28 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Sprockel, De Haan, De Visser, Bosvelt, Tomasson, Ono, Elmander, Van Hooijdonk and Smolarek. Feyenoord got their 2nd win in a row to keep them in pole position. Ebi Smolarek put the Rotterdammers ahead in the 34th and Paul Bosvelt gave them a healthy 0 - 2 advantage to take into the dressing room at the break with a goal in the 45th. They gave it all away in the 2nd half and a foul by a tired looking Jan de Visser allowed Rick Hoogendorp to get one back for the Waalwijkers with a spot-shot in the 50th. He headed in a 2nd 'real' goal from a Cornelisse cross in the 61st to even the score but Ebi Smolarek got his 2nd of the evening in the 75th from a Pierre van Hooijdonk pass to give Feyenoord the points - they stay on top of the table. Fortuna lose to RKC 1 - 4 24 Nov 2001 Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, Van Dieren, El Khadri, Rook, Cramb, Gerritsen and Landerl. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Fortuna were no match for the Waalwijkers and stay firmly rooted at the bottom of the table after this defeat. The visitors had 3 good chances to score in the 1st half and converted all of them into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Yuri Cornelisse put away the 1st in the 21st minute, Robert Fuchs got the 2nd in the 28th, Jochen Janssen the 3rd in the 40th and Carlos van Wanrooy added a 4th in the 54th. Their 4-0 lead was only 'dented' by a consolation goal for Fortuna from Dennis Gerritsen in the 69th. RKC are now in 8th place with 20 points from 14 games. RKC's Franken on loan to TOP Oss? 20 Nov 2001 RKC's Giovanni Franken could be set to make a move on loan to TOP Oss - the 24 year-old midfielder has only been making appearances as a sub in Waalwijk and it's hoped he'll get the chance to ripen as a player in Oss. The two clubs entered into a cooperation pact last May and both RKC's Bas Dreef and Ron Heesakkers are already playing with the Eerste Divisie side.  AZ lose to RKC 0 - 1 17 Nov 2001 AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Buskermolen, Elkhattabi and Nelisse. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Fuchs, Hoogendorp and Janssen. AZ will be disappointed to have given away the points when they could just as easily have won the match - it was only their 2nd home defeat of the season (Feyenoord being the other 'lucky' team to win in Alkmaar). That man Ali Elkhattabi missed narrowly with a header in the 1st half  - the ball bounced off the inside of the post into Van Dijk's arms. After the break he deceived the Waalwijk defence and should have rounded off his deception with a great goal but his attempt at a lob was a poor one. Yuri Cornelisse showed him how to do it by blasting in the late match-winner in the 83rd minute. RKC stay in 10th place while AZ drop to 11th.  Van Loenhout returns to RBC 16 Nov 2001 RKC's John van Loenhout is set to return on loan to his old club RBC for the rest of the current season. The midfielder has failed to get a regular place in the Waalwijkers' lineup but now that Robert Fuch's transfer from PSV to RKC is going through it clears the way for Van Loenhout to get in some regular matchplay experience at his former club. Robert Fuchs signs for RKC 16 Nov 2001 PSV's Robert Fuchs has signed a deal with RKC for four and a half years and only the obligatory medical examination remains before he can start packing his bags. The 26 year-old left-footed midfielder is a product of Eindhoven's youth scheme and was generally regarded as a player to watch. He never managed to earn himself a regular place in the PSV 1st team lineup and went on loan to De Graafschap no less than 3 times. He always did well in Doetinchem and each time was duly called back to Eindhoven only to be lent out again. His prospects of playing were even worse this season so, despite  some last minute hesitation by PSV, he'll undoubtedly be glad to go where he's wanted.  Virgilio Teixeira signs new contract 13 Nov 2001 Virgilio Teixeira has signed Utrecht beat RKC 2-1 14 Apr 2002 Utrecht Lineup:Harald Wapenaar, Stijn Vreven, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pascal Bosschaart, Stefaan Tanghe, Jean Paul de Jong (70th Robert Roest), Arno Arts (70th Tom van Mol), Dirk Kuyt, Igor Gluscevic (77th Arco Jochemsen), Dave van den Bergh, Karim Touzani. RKC Lineup: Rob van Dijk, Michael Lamey, Patrick van Diemen, Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Virgilio Texeira (84th Giovanni Franken), Zeljko Petrovic (80th Ivar van Dinteren), Dejan Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse (88th John van Loenhout), Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen. Utrecht dominated the 1st half but it took until the 31st minute before Igor Gluscevicd the score. The Domstad side should have netted another 2 or 3 goals in the 1st half but RKC's keeper Van Dijk kept his team in the match with a number of fine saves including stopping a Dirk Kuyt spot shot. Although Patrick van Diemen equalized in the 54th minute Utrecht kept pressing forward and, in the 79th, they scored again. Stefaan Tanghe picked up the ball after Van Dijk had fumbled it and shot hard  into thegoal. RKC beat Twente 3 - 1 24 Mar 2002 RKC sneak into the European-football-earning-zone after their home win over lowly placed Twente. Kurt van de Paar put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute of the game with his 3rd goal of the season. Yuri Cornelisse pulled one back in the 30th and Patrick van Diemen nosed the home side ahead 20 minutes into the 2nd half with his second goal of the season. In the 72nd minute Petrovic went for an early shower after seeing red for kicking his opponent instead of the ball. Jochem Jansen put the final 3 - 1 score on the board in the 81st minute. Patrick Pothuisen was also sent off with just one minute left on the clock after receiving his 2nd yellow card of the evening. RKC beat NEC 2 - 1 17 Mar 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Putter. NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Wisgerhof, Hesp, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Wielaert, Latuheru, Ax, Dennis de Nooijer and Jansen. The Waalwijkers had the best chances and NEC played the better football this afternoon. The home team went ahead when Jochen Janssen scored in the 27th minute but Dennis de Nooijer equalized for NEC in the 56th. RKC clinched the points as RKC show interest in Serghino Greene 15 Mar 2002 RKC are showing an interest in Ajax youth player Serghino Greene, currently on loan to Eerste Divisie side Haarlem. The 19 year-old was the subject of Anderlecht's interest and they offered him a deal for 5 years which he found too long a contract and turned it down. Perhaps the Waalwijkers will be able to make him an offer he can't refuse! Oranje 1988 play RKC in benefit match 15 Mar 2002 The Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988 by beating their traditional 'foes' Germany in the final will be turning out on May 7th to play against RKC Waalwijk in a charity match to benefit the SOS childrens village scheme. All 18 players in the original squad have agreed to take part : Hans van Breukelen, Joop Hiele, Berry van Aerle, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ronald Koeman, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Koevermans, Wilbert Suvrijn, Gerald Vanenburg, Aron Winter, Jan Wouters, John van 't Schip, Willem Kieft, John Bosman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten will all be there. The kickoff in the Mandemakers stadium is at 20.00! RKC extend Nascimento's contract 12 Mar 2002 RKC have extended veteran defender David Nascimento's contract for another year. The 35 year-old made his debut for the Waalwijkers in the 1991/1992 season and returned to the club after spells with Utrecht and Roda.  RKC offer Hoogendorp new deal 11 Mar 2002 RKC want to breakRick Hoogendorp's current contract and offer the striker an improved deal running till 2006. The 27 year-old striker is only one goal away from becoming the Waalwijkers all-time top Ere Divisie scorer, he's currently scored a total of 46 goals for them since he joined. Marco Boogers, currently playing for Dordrecht'90, is the holder of the record on 47 goals. Hoogendorp has put away 101 goals in 244 matches during his professional career for RKC, Celta de Vigo, Dordrecht'90, MVV and Den Haag. Heerenveen beat RKC 2 - 0 09 Mar 2002 Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Jensen, Selakovic, Väyrynen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Van den Berg, Govedarica,  De Graef, Petrovic, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp, Putter and Molhoek. Heerenveen climb to 4th place Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1 03 Mar 2002 Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played. RKC hire PSV's Guido Budziak 01 Mar 2002 RKC have hired PSV's 19 year-old goalie Guido Budziak till the end of the season as a replacement for their own keeper, the  injured Rob van Dijk, who tore a tendon in his knee last weekend during the match against AZ. End of season for RKC's Rob van Dijk 25 Feb 2002 RKC's goalkeeper Rob van Dijk will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in yesterday's 3 - 2 win against AZ when he was carried off on a stretcher after only 18 minutes. He'll be out of action for 2 to 3 months and will be replaced by Khalid Sinouh who recently decided to extend his contract with the club in the hope of seeing more 1st team action. RKC beat AZ 3 - 2 24 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Kalezic, De Graef, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Kolk, Putter and Molhoek.  AZ lineup: Nijkamp, Lee, Fortes R., Wijker, Opdam, Perez, Robbemond, Lindenbergh, Van Galen, Nelisse and Huiberts. RKC will be pleased with this win which keeps their hopes alive of maybe ending the season in the top 5. The home team began rather cautiously and Kenneth Perez was able to pounce on a bad clearance to put the Alkmaarders ahead in the 8th minute. The advantage didn't last long as Robert Fuchs equalized in the 14th minute with a fine header, from an even finer Patrick van Diemen ball. Santi Kolk headed in the 2nd on the hour and later, as RKC countered, the Haagenaar passed to Michael Lamey, who slotted home the 3rd in the 76th minute. Robin Nelisse got a 90th minute 2nd goal for the visitors but it was too late to make an impact. Bad news for the Waalwijkers was goalie Rob van Dijk's departure for the dressing room with a serious knee injury in the 18th minute. The win takes the Waalwijkers into 7th place on 28 points from 34 games from 24 played while AZ stay where they were on 29 points from 24 played. RKC's Khalid Sinouh to extend contract 24 Feb 2002 RKC's reserve goalie Khalid Sinouh has told the club he wants to accept their offer of an extended stay and has turned down the opportunity to go to Cambuur Leeuwarden in order to stay in Waalwijk. He's been offered a deal for another 3 years but  actually wanted more. Nonetheless, he's still negotiating with the club and Sinouh is optimistic about his chances of seeing more 1st team action when the contract of no.1 choice keeper Rob van Dijk runs out in 2004. Ajax beat RKC 3 - 1 10 Feb 2002 Ajax lineup: Grim, Vierklau, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas and Wamberto. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Diemen, Molhoek, De Graef, Putter and Hoogendorp. Nikos Machlas really seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman, maybe there was something in his story that he lost all self-confidence under Co Adriaanse. In any case the Greek striker put the Amsterdammers ahead at the end of a poorng 45 minutes and added a 2nd (his 5th in 3 games) in the 75th.  Ajax were the better team but couldn't translate their 'superiority' into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net! After the break RKC exerted more pressure, Dejan Govedarica getting one back for the Waalwijkers in the 80th, but André Bergdølmo put away a spot shot in the 88th for the 3 - 1. Ajax stay breathing down Feyenoord's neck, both teams on 45 points from 21 games, the Rotterdammers just ahead on goal difference. RKC stay where they were in 8th on 31 from 23 played. Martin Jol extends contract with RKC 09 Feb 2002 RKC's trainer Martin Jol has told the club's general manager Marcel Brandts that he's planning to extend his contract with the Waalwijkers for an extra year. There's still one and a half years to go on his existing deal and he recently turned down the opportunity to take over at 1. FC Köln. RKC beat PSV 2 - 1 05 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kalezic, Petrovic, Kolk, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse. PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vogel, Bruggink, Gakhokidze, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman. RKC get their first home win against PSV ever Martin Jol favourite for 1.FC Köln job 05 Feb 2002 RKC's Martin Jol is currently favourite to take over at Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. The G RKC extend veterans' contracts 02 Feb 2002 RKC have offered to extend the contracts of veterans Zeljko Petrovic, Carlos van Wanrooy and David Nascimento for an extra year. Other veterans Dejan Govedarica (with the Waalwijkers since 1998) and Darije Kalezic (7 years with the club) are not so lucky and will have to look for a new club at the end of this season. RKC lose to  Willem II 0 - 1 27 Jan 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Govedarica, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Van Wanrooy, Hoogendorp, Putter and Yuri. Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Willem II may have been playing 'pretty' football in their matches before the winter break but a series of 10 draws brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Determined not to repeat that mistake trainer Hans Westerhof decided it was time to 'get tough' and the new tactic bore fruit against RKC in a highly charged 'Brabant derby'. Tarik Sektioui scored the match's only goal for the "Tricolores" with a header from a Denny Landzaat freekick in the 22nd. For RKC, ex-Volendammer Eddy Putter struck a 20 metre shot which hit the bar and, after the break, Cornelisse saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar and cross the line but had it disallowed, the 'goal' escaping the view of the officials! The Waalwijkers' frustrations mounted and, in the person of Van Wanrooy, boiled over as he had a bit of a punch-up with the 'Tricolores' bench. He was awarded a yellow card when surely a red card was deserved! The points lift Willem II into 10th place on 25 from 20 played while RKC drop to 8th on 28 from 20. Friendly Roundup 20 Jan 2002 RKC beat RBC 5 - 0 with no less than 4 goals from Rick Hoogendorp and a 5th from David Nascimento. RKC to let veterans go 14 Jan 2002 RKC want to make a fresh start next season with a younger squad than at present while at the same time reducing the numbers involved to 22 players. 3 of their 5 veterans will have to go in the summer when it's time to extend (or not) various contracts leaving Zeljko Petrovic, David Nascimento, Dejan Govedarica, Darije Kalezic and Carlos van Wanrooy wondering whether they've still got much of a future with the Waalwijkers. Vitesse and RKC draw 1 - 1 22 Dec 2001 Vitesse lineup: Jevric, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Peeters and Martel. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen and Yuri Cornelisse. Vitesse went down 4 - 1 to Den Bosch and 5 - 1 to Ajax in their last two matches but were unable to change their fortunes in this match. RKC could have gone a couple of goals up after Gary de Graef put away the first in the 1st minute but Nanu cleared Peter van den Berg's header off the line and another attempt hit the woodwork. Vitesse tried to get into the match but were too disorganised and sloppy to put together threatening moves. Ruud Knol headed in the equalizer from a Didier Martel corner in the 23rd. After the break the Arnhemmers were more agressive and Martel's run ended with a penalty for De Graef's handsball. Unfortunately Kreek didn't get it past goalie Van Dijk and both teams we Volendam's Putter moves to RKC 20 Dec 2001 Volendam's Eddy Putter is set to move to RKC during the winter break. The 19 year-old striker was bought by the Waalwijkers last season and left to ripen in the Eerste Divisie but has now been called up earlier than expected due to the large amount of injured players at his new club. The youth international has played 46 games and scored 12 goals for Volendam. RKC and Sparta draw 1 - 1 16 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Bouchiba, Winter, Boukhari, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. The visitors may have been missing Danny Koevermans but they still chose to go on the attack and Nourdin Boukhari put them ahead after 11 minutes. Defending their half for the remainder of theng 45 minutes they left little room for the Waalwijkers to createngs although Rick Hoogendorp came close to the equalizer. RKC had more luck after the break and some poor defending gave Hoogendorp the chance to put away his 100th professional goal in 7 seasons for the equalizer in the 58th. Van der Heyden signs for RKC 14 Dec 2001 ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heyden has signed a contract with RKC for 5 seasons - the 19 year-old midfielder joined the Eerste Divisie side last summer, after playing as an amateur, and immediately earned himself a place in the team. NAC lose to last minute RKC goal 0 - 1 08 Dec 2001 NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. A last minute goal by Rick Hoogendorp in the 90th gave the Waalwijkers 3 valuable points which unfortunately don't actually move them any higher up the table because their nearest rival, PSV, was already 4 points clear before the start of the match. The win was pretty undeserved as NAC were clearly the better team but Rob van Dijk made a series of fine saves to keep the scoreboard empty and the Waalwijkers in the match. After the break Earnest Stewart, Youssouf Hersi and Glenn Salmon all failed to score for the home team and Rick Hoogendorp showed them how it is done. This was his 100th professional goal in his 236th professional match - he scored his first prof-goal on October 8th 1994 for Den Haag against Telstar. Tonight's defeat ends the run of unbeaten home matches that NAC have enjoyed so far and they stay where they were in 5th place! RKC beat Roda 3 - 0 01 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Roda lineup: Kalac, Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Sonkaya, Gregoor van Dijk, Nygaard, Van Dessel, Lawal, Zafarin and Anastasiou. Roda were the better team in the 1st half but neglected to convert their chances into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Lawal and Anastasiou both failed to put them away while Rob van Dijk was showing good form in goal for RKC. Robert Fuchs gave the Waalwijkers a one goal advantage to take into the dressing room in the 44th. Carlos van Wanrooy scored the 2nd in the 59th and Dejan Govedarica made it 3 - 0 in the 72nd. They earn themselves 3 points but don't change position. RKC lose to Feyenoord 2 - 3 28 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Sprockel, De Haan, De Visser, Bosvelt, Tomasson, Ono, Elmander, Van Hooijdonk and Smolarek. Feyenoord got their 2nd win in a row to keep them in pole position. Ebi Smolarek put the Rotterdammers ahead in the 34th and Paul Bosvelt gave them a healthy 0 - 2 advantage to take into the dressing room at the break with a goal in the 45th. They gave it all away in the 2nd half and a foul by a tired looking Jan de Visser allowed Rick Hoogendorp to get one back for the Waalwijkers with a spot-shot in the 50th. He headed in a 2nd 'real' goal from a Cornelisse cross in the 61st to even the score but Ebi Smolarek got his 2nd of the evening in the 75th from a Pierre van Hooijdonk pass to give Feyenoord the points - they stay on top of the table. Fortuna lose to RKC 1 - 4 24 Nov 2001 Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, Van Dieren, El Khadri, Rook, Cramb, Gerritsen and Landerl. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Fortuna were no match for the Waalwijkers and stay firmly rooted at the bottom of the table after this defeat. The visitors had 3 good chances to score in the 1st half and converted all of them into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Yuri Cornelisse put away the 1st in the 21st minute, Robert Fuchs got the 2nd in the 28th, Jochen Janssen the 3rd in the 40th and Carlos van Wanrooy added a 4th in the 54th. Their 4-0 lead was only 'dented' by a consolation goal for Fortuna from Dennis Gerritsen in the 69th. RKC are now in 8th place with 20 points from 14 games. RKC's Franken on loan to TOP Oss? 20 Nov 2001 RKC's Giovanni Franken could be set to make a move on loan to TOP Oss - the 24 year-old midfielder has only been making appearances as a sub in Waalwijk and it's hoped he'll get the chance to ripen as a player in Oss. The two clubs entered into a cooperation pact last May and both RKC's Bas Dreef and Ron Heesakkers are already playing with the Eerste Divisie side.  AZ lose to RKC 0 - 1 17 Nov 2001 AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Buskermolen, Elkhattabi and Nelisse. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Fuchs, Hoogendorp and Janssen. AZ will be disappointed to have given away the points when they could just as easily have won the match - it was only their 2nd home defeat of the season (Feyenoord being the other 'lucky' team to win in Alkmaar). That man Ali Elkhattabi missed narrowly with a header in the 1st half  - the ball bounced off the inside of the post into Van Dijk's arms. After the break he deceived the Waalwijk defence and should have rounded off his deception with a great goal but his attempt at a lob was a poor one. Yuri Cornelisse showed him how to do it by blasting in the late match-winner in the 83rd minute. RKC stay in 10th place while AZ drop to 11th.  Van Loenhout returns to RBC 16 Nov 2001 RKC's John van Loenhout is set to return on loan to his old club RBC for the rest of the current season. The midfielder has failed to get a regular place in the Waalwijkers' lineup but now that Robert Fuch's transfer from PSV to RKC is going through it clears the way for Van Loenhout to get in some regular matchplay experience at his former club. Robert Fuchs signs for RKC 16 Nov 2001 PSV's Robert Fuchs has signed a deal with RKC for four and a half years and only the obligatory medical examination remains before he can start packing his bags. The 26 year-old left-footed midfielder is a product of Eindhoven's youth scheme and was generally regarded as a player to watch. He never managed to earn himself a regular place in the PSV 1st team lineup and went on loan to De Graafschap no less than 3 times. He always did well in Doetinchem and each time was duly called back to Eindhoven only to be lent out again. His prospects of playing were even worse this season so, despite  some last minute hesitation by PSV, he'll undoubtedly be glad to go where he's wanted.  Virgilio Teixeira signs new contract 13 Nov 2001 Virgilio Teixeira has signed Utrecht beat RKC 2-1 14 Apr 2002 Utrecht Lineup:Harald Wapenaar, Stijn Vreven, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pascal Bosschaart, Stefaan Tanghe, Jean Paul de Jong (70th Robert Roest), Arno Arts (70th Tom van Mol), Dirk Kuyt, Igor Gluscevic (77th Arco Jochemsen), Dave van den Bergh, Karim Touzani. RKC Lineup: Rob van Dijk, Michael Lamey, Patrick van Diemen, Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Virgilio Texeira (84th Giovanni Franken), Zeljko Petrovic (80th Ivar van Dinteren), Dejan Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse (88th John van Loenhout), Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen. Utrecht dominated the 1st half but it took until the 31st minute before Igor Gluscevicd the score. The Domstad side should have netted another 2 or 3 goals in the 1st half but RKC's keeper Van Dijk kept his team in the match with a number of fine saves including stopping a Dirk Kuyt spot shot. Although Patrick van Diemen equalized in the 54th minute Utrecht kept pressing forward and, in the 79th, they scored again. Stefaan Tanghe picked up the ball after Van Dijk had fumbled it and shot hard  into thegoal. RKC beat Twente 3 - 1 24 Mar 2002 RKC sneak into the European-football-earning-zone after their home win over lowly placed Twente. Kurt van de Paar put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute of the game with his 3rd goal of the season. Yuri Cornelisse pulled one back in the 30th and Patrick van Diemen nosed the home side ahead 20 minutes into the 2nd half with his second goal of the season. In the 72nd minute Petrovic went for an early shower after seeing red for kicking his opponent instead of the ball. Jochem Jansen put the final 3 - 1 score on the board in the 81st minute. Patrick Pothuisen was also sent off with just one minute left on the clock after receiving his 2nd yellow card of the evening. RKC beat NEC 2 - 1 17 Mar 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Putter. NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Wisgerhof, Hesp, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Wielaert, Latuheru, Ax, Dennis de Nooijer and Jansen. The Waalwijkers had the best chances and NEC played the better football this afternoon. The home team went ahead when Jochen Janssen scored in the 27th minute but Dennis de Nooijer equalized for NEC in the 56th. RKC clinched the points as RKC show interest in Serghino Greene 15 Mar 2002 RKC are showing an interest in Ajax youth player Serghino Greene, currently on loan to Eerste Divisie side Haarlem. The 19 year-old was the subject of Anderlecht's interest and they offered him a deal for 5 years which he found too long a contract and turned it down. Perhaps the Waalwijkers will be able to make him an offer he can't refuse! Oranje 1988 play RKC in benefit match 15 Mar 2002 The Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988 by beating their traditional 'foes' Germany in the final will be turning out on May 7th to play against RKC Waalwijk in a charity match to benefit the SOS childrens village scheme. All 18 players in the original squad have agreed to take part : Hans van Breukelen, Joop Hiele, Berry van Aerle, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ronald Koeman, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Koevermans, Wilbert Suvrijn, Gerald Vanenburg, Aron Winter, Jan Wouters, John van 't Schip, Willem Kieft, John Bosman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten will all be there. The kickoff in the Mandemakers stadium is at 20.00! RKC extend Nascimento's contract 12 Mar 2002 RKC have extended veteran defender David Nascimento's contract for another year. The 35 year-old made his debut for the Waalwijkers in the 1991/1992 season and returned to the club after spells with Utrecht and Roda.  RKC offer Hoogendorp new deal 11 Mar 2002 RKC want to breakRick Hoogendorp's current contract and offer the striker an improved deal running till 2006. The 27 year-old striker is only one goal away from becoming the Waalwijkers all-time top Ere Divisie scorer, he's currently scored a total of 46 goals for them since he joined. Marco Boogers, currently playing for Dordrecht'90, is the holder of the record on 47 goals. Hoogendorp has put away 101 goals in 244 matches during his professional career for RKC, Celta de Vigo, Dordrecht'90, MVV and Den Haag. Heerenveen beat RKC 2 - 0 09 Mar 2002 Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Jensen, Selakovic, Väyrynen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Van den Berg, Govedarica,  De Graef, Petrovic, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp, Putter and Molhoek. Heerenveen climb to 4th place Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1 03 Mar 2002 Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played. RKC hire PSV's Guido Budziak 01 Mar 2002 RKC have hired PSV's 19 year-old goalie Guido Budziak till the end of the season as a replacement for their own keeper, the  injured Rob van Dijk, who tore a tendon in his knee last weekend during the match against AZ. End of season for RKC's Rob van Dijk 25 Feb 2002 RKC's goalkeeper Rob van Dijk will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in yesterday's 3 - 2 win against AZ when he was carried off on a stretcher after only 18 minutes. He'll be out of action for 2 to 3 months and will be replaced by Khalid Sinouh who recently decided to extend his contract with the club in the hope of seeing more 1st team action. RKC beat AZ 3 - 2 24 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Kalezic, De Graef, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Kolk, Putter and Molhoek.  AZ lineup: Nijkamp, Lee, Fortes R., Wijker, Opdam, Perez, Robbemond, Lindenbergh, Van Galen, Nelisse and Huiberts. RKC will be pleased with this win which keeps their hopes alive of maybe ending the season in the top 5. The home team began rather cautiously and Kenneth Perez was able to pounce on a bad clearance to put the Alkmaarders ahead in the 8th minute. The advantage didn't last long as Robert Fuchs equalized in the 14th minute with a fine header, from an even finer Patrick van Diemen ball. Santi Kolk headed in the 2nd on the hour and later, as RKC countered, the Haagenaar passed to Michael Lamey, who slotted home the 3rd in the 76th minute. Robin Nelisse got a 90th minute 2nd goal for the visitors but it was too late to make an impact. Bad news for the Waalwijkers was goalie Rob van Dijk's departure for the dressing room with a serious knee injury in the 18th minute. The win takes the Waalwijkers into 7th place on 28 points from 34 games from 24 played while AZ stay where they were on 29 points from 24 played. RKC's Khalid Sinouh to extend contract 24 Feb 2002 RKC's reserve goalie Khalid Sinouh has told the club he wants to accept their offer of an extended stay and has turned down the opportunity to go to Cambuur Leeuwarden in order to stay in Waalwijk. He's been offered a deal for another 3 years but  actually wanted more. Nonetheless, he's still negotiating with the club and Sinouh is optimistic about his chances of seeing more 1st team action when the contract of no.1 choice keeper Rob van Dijk runs out in 2004. Ajax beat RKC 3 - 1 10 Feb 2002 Ajax lineup: Grim, Vierklau, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas and Wamberto. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Diemen, Molhoek, De Graef, Putter and Hoogendorp. Nikos Machlas really seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman, maybe there was something in his story that he lost all self-confidence under Co Adriaanse. In any case the Greek striker put the Amsterdammers ahead at the end of a poorng 45 minutes and added a 2nd (his 5th in 3 games) in the 75th.  Ajax were the better team but couldn't translate their 'superiority' into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net! After the break RKC exerted more pressure, Dejan Govedarica getting one back for the Waalwijkers in the 80th, but André Bergdølmo put away a spot shot in the 88th for the 3 - 1. Ajax stay breathing down Feyenoord's neck, both teams on 45 points from 21 games, the Rotterdammers just ahead on goal difference. RKC stay where they were in 8th on 31 from 23 played. Martin Jol extends contract with RKC 09 Feb 2002 RKC's trainer Martin Jol has told the club's general manager Marcel Brandts that he's planning to extend his contract with the Waalwijkers for an extra year. There's still one and a half years to go on his existing deal and he recently turned down the opportunity to take over at 1. FC Köln. RKC beat PSV 2 - 1 05 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kalezic, Petrovic, Kolk, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse. PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vogel, Bruggink, Gakhokidze, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman. RKC get their first home win against PSV ever Martin Jol favourite for 1.FC Köln job 05 Feb 2002 RKC's Martin Jol is currently favourite to take over at Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. The G RKC extend veterans' contracts 02 Feb 2002 RKC have offered to extend the contracts of veterans Zeljko Petrovic, Carlos van Wanrooy and David Nascimento for an extra year. Other veterans Dejan Govedarica (with the Waalwijkers since 1998) and Darije Kalezic (7 years with the club) are not so lucky and will have to look for a new club at the end of this season. RKC lose to  Willem II 0 - 1 27 Jan 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Govedarica, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Van Wanrooy, Hoogendorp, Putter and Yuri. Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Willem II may have been playing 'pretty' football in their matches before the winter break but a series of 10 draws brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Determined not to repeat that mistake trainer Hans Westerhof decided it was time to 'get tough' and the new tactic bore fruit against RKC in a highly charged 'Brabant derby'. Tarik Sektioui scored the match's only goal for the "Tricolores" with a header from a Denny Landzaat freekick in the 22nd. For RKC, ex-Volendammer Eddy Putter struck a 20 metre shot which hit the bar and, after the break, Cornelisse saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar and cross the line but had it disallowed, the 'goal' escaping the view of the officials! The Waalwijkers' frustrations mounted and, in the person of Van Wanrooy, boiled over as he had a bit of a punch-up with the 'Tricolores' bench. He was awarded a yellow card when surely a red card was deserved! The points lift Willem II into 10th place on 25 from 20 played while RKC drop to 8th on 28 from 20. Friendly Roundup 20 Jan 2002 RKC beat RBC 5 - 0 with no less than 4 goals from Rick Hoogendorp and a 5th from David Nascimento. RKC to let veterans go 14 Jan 2002 RKC want to make a fresh start next season with a younger squad than at present while at the same time reducing the numbers involved to 22 players. 3 of their 5 veterans will have to go in the summer when it's time to extend (or not) various contracts leaving Zeljko Petrovic, David Nascimento, Dejan Govedarica, Darije Kalezic and Carlos van Wanrooy wondering whether they've still got much of a future with the Waalwijkers. Vitesse and RKC draw 1 - 1 22 Dec 2001 Vitesse lineup: Jevric, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Peeters and Martel. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen and Yuri Cornelisse. Vitesse went down 4 - 1 to Den Bosch and 5 - 1 to Ajax in their last two matches but were unable to change their fortunes in this match. RKC could have gone a couple of goals up after Gary de Graef put away the first in the 1st minute but Nanu cleared Peter van den Berg's header off the line and another attempt hit the woodwork. Vitesse tried to get into the match but were too disorganised and sloppy to put together threatening moves. Ruud Knol headed in the equalizer from a Didier Martel corner in the 23rd. After the break the Arnhemmers were more agressive and Martel's run ended with a penalty for De Graef's handsball. Unfortunately Kreek didn't get it past goalie Van Dijk and both teams we Volendam's Putter moves to RKC 20 Dec 2001 Volendam's Eddy Putter is set to move to RKC during the winter break. The 19 year-old striker was bought by the Waalwijkers last season and left to ripen in the Eerste Divisie but has now been called up earlier than expected due to the large amount of injured players at his new club. The youth international has played 46 games and scored 12 goals for Volendam. RKC and Sparta draw 1 - 1 16 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Bouchiba, Winter, Boukhari, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. The visitors may have been missing Danny Koevermans but they still chose to go on the attack and Nourdin Boukhari put them ahead after 11 minutes. Defending their half for the remainder of theng 45 minutes they left little room for the Waalwijkers to createngs although Rick Hoogendorp came close to the equalizer. RKC had more luck after the break and some poor defending gave Hoogendorp the chance to put away his 100th professional goal in 7 seasons for the equalizer in the 58th. Van der Heyden signs for RKC 14 Dec 2001 ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heyden has signed a contract with RKC for 5 seasons - the 19 year-old midfielder joined the Eerste Divisie side last summer, after playing as an amateur, and immediately earned himself a place in the team. NAC lose to last minute RKC goal 0 - 1 08 Dec 2001 NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. A last minute goal by Rick Hoogendorp in the 90th gave the Waalwijkers 3 valuable points which unfortunately don't actually move them any higher up the table because their nearest rival, PSV, was already 4 points clear before the start of the match. The win was pretty undeserved as NAC were clearly the better team but Rob van Dijk made a series of fine saves to keep the scoreboard empty and the Waalwijkers in the match. After the break Earnest Stewart, Youssouf Hersi and Glenn Salmon all failed to score for the home team and Rick Hoogendorp showed them how it is done. This was his 100th professional goal in his 236th professional match - he scored his first prof-goal on October 8th 1994 for Den Haag against Telstar. Tonight's defeat ends the run of unbeaten home matches that NAC have enjoyed so far and they stay where they were in 5th place! RKC beat Roda 3 - 0 01 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Roda lineup: Kalac, Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Sonkaya, Gregoor van Dijk, Nygaard, Van Dessel, Lawal, Zafarin and Anastasiou. Roda were the better team in the 1st half but neglected to convert their chances into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Lawal and Anastasiou both failed to put them away while Rob van Dijk was showing good form in goal for RKC. Robert Fuchs gave the Waalwijkers a one goal advantage to take into the dressing room in the 44th. Carlos van Wanrooy scored the 2nd in the 59th and Dejan Govedarica made it 3 - 0 in the 72nd. They earn themselves 3 points but don't change position. RKC lose to Feyenoord 2 - 3 28 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Sprockel, De Haan, De Visser, Bosvelt, Tomasson, Ono, Elmander, Van Hooijdonk and Smolarek. Feyenoord got their 2nd win in a row to keep them in pole position. Ebi Smolarek put the Rotterdammers ahead in the 34th and Paul Bosvelt gave them a healthy 0 - 2 advantage to take into the dressing room at the break with a goal in the 45th. They gave it all away in the 2nd half and a foul by a tired looking Jan de Visser allowed Rick Hoogendorp to get one back for the Waalwijkers with a spot-shot in the 50th. He headed in a 2nd 'real' goal from a Cornelisse cross in the 61st to even the score but Ebi Smolarek got his 2nd of the evening in the 75th from a Pierre van Hooijdonk pass to give Feyenoord the points - they stay on top of the table. Fortuna lose to RKC 1 - 4 24 Nov 2001 Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, Van Dieren, El Khadri, Rook, Cramb, Gerritsen and Landerl. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Fortuna were no match for the Waalwijkers and stay firmly rooted at the bottom of the table after this defeat. The visitors had 3 good chances to score in the 1st half and converted all of them into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Yuri Cornelisse put away the 1st in the 21st minute, Robert Fuchs got the 2nd in the 28th, Jochen Janssen the 3rd in the 40th and Carlos van Wanrooy added a 4th in the 54th. Their 4-0 lead was only 'dented' by a consolation goal for Fortuna from Dennis Gerritsen in the 69th. RKC are now in 8th place with 20 points from 14 games. RKC's Franken on loan to TOP Oss? 20 Nov 2001 RKC's Giovanni Franken could be set to make a move on loan to TOP Oss - the 24 year-old midfielder has only been making appearances as a sub in Waalwijk and it's hoped he'll get the chance to ripen as a player in Oss. The two clubs entered into a cooperation pact last May and both RKC's Bas Dreef and Ron Heesakkers are already playing with the Eerste Divisie side.  AZ lose to RKC 0 - 1 17 Nov 2001 AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Buskermolen, Elkhattabi and Nelisse. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Fuchs, Hoogendorp and Janssen. AZ will be disappointed to have given away the points when they could just as easily have won the match - it was only their 2nd home defeat of the season (Feyenoord being the other 'lucky' team to win in Alkmaar). That man Ali Elkhattabi missed narrowly with a header in the 1st half  - the ball bounced off the inside of the post into Van Dijk's arms. After the break he deceived the Waalwijk defence and should have rounded off his deception with a great goal but his attempt at a lob was a poor one. Yuri Cornelisse showed him how to do it by blasting in the late match-winner in the 83rd minute. RKC stay in 10th place while AZ drop to 11th.  Van Loenhout returns to RBC 16 Nov 2001 RKC's John van Loenhout is set to return on loan to his old club RBC for the rest of the current season. The midfielder has failed to get a regular place in the Waalwijkers' lineup but now that Robert Fuch's transfer from PSV to RKC is going through it clears the way for Van Loenhout to get in some regular matchplay experience at his former club. Robert Fuchs signs for RKC 16 Nov 2001 PSV's Robert Fuchs has signed a deal with RKC for four and a half years and only the obligatory medical examination remains before he can start packing his bags. The 26 year-old left-footed midfielder is a product of Eindhoven's youth scheme and was generally regarded as a player to watch. He never managed to earn himself a regular place in the PSV 1st team lineup and went on loan to De Graafschap no less than 3 times. He always did well in Doetinchem and each time was duly called back to Eindhoven only to be lent out again. His prospects of playing were even worse this season so, despite  some last minute hesitation by PSV, he'll undoubtedly be glad to go where he's wanted.  Virgilio Teixeira signs new contract 13 Nov 2001 Virgilio Teixeira has signed Utrecht beat RKC 2-1 14 Apr 2002 Utrecht Lineup:Harald Wapenaar, Stijn Vreven, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pascal Bosschaart, Stefaan Tanghe, Jean Paul de Jong (70th Robert Roest), Arno Arts (70th Tom van Mol), Dirk Kuyt, Igor Gluscevic (77th Arco Jochemsen), Dave van den Bergh, Karim Touzani. RKC Lineup: Rob van Dijk, Michael Lamey, Patrick van Diemen, Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Virgilio Texeira (84th Giovanni Franken), Zeljko Petrovic (80th Ivar van Dinteren), Dejan Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse (88th John van Loenhout), Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen. Utrecht dominated the 1st half but it took until the 31st minute before Igor Gluscevicd the score. The Domstad side should have netted another 2 or 3 goals in the 1st half but RKC's keeper Van Dijk kept his team in the match with a number of fine saves including stopping a Dirk Kuyt spot shot. Although Patrick van Diemen equalized in the 54th minute Utrecht kept pressing forward and, in the 79th, they scored again. Stefaan Tanghe picked up the ball after Van Dijk had fumbled it and shot hard  into thegoal. RKC beat Twente 3 - 1 24 Mar 2002 RKC sneak into the European-football-earning-zone after their home win over lowly placed Twente. Kurt van de Paar put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute of the game with his 3rd goal of the season. Yuri Cornelisse pulled one back in the 30th and Patrick van Diemen nosed the home side ahead 20 minutes into the 2nd half with his second goal of the season. In the 72nd minute Petrovic went for an early shower after seeing red for kicking his opponent instead of the ball. Jochem Jansen put the final 3 - 1 score on the board in the 81st minute. Patrick Pothuisen was also sent off with just one minute left on the clock after receiving his 2nd yellow card of the evening. RKC beat NEC 2 - 1 17 Mar 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Putter. NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Wisgerhof, Hesp, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Wielaert, Latuheru, Ax, Dennis de Nooijer and Jansen. The Waalwijkers had the best chances and NEC played the better football this afternoon. The home team went ahead when Jochen Janssen scored in the 27th minute but Dennis de Nooijer equalized for NEC in the 56th. RKC clinched the points as RKC show interest in Serghino Greene 15 Mar 2002 RKC are showing an interest in Ajax youth player Serghino Greene, currently on loan to Eerste Divisie side Haarlem. The 19 year-old was the subject of Anderlecht's interest and they offered him a deal for 5 years which he found too long a contract and turned it down. Perhaps the Waalwijkers will be able to make him an offer he can't refuse! Oranje 1988 play RKC in benefit match 15 Mar 2002 The Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988 by beating their traditional 'foes' Germany in the final will be turning out on May 7th to play against RKC Waalwijk in a charity match to benefit the SOS childrens village scheme. All 18 players in the original squad have agreed to take part : Hans van Breukelen, Joop Hiele, Berry van Aerle, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ronald Koeman, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Koevermans, Wilbert Suvrijn, Gerald Vanenburg, Aron Winter, Jan Wouters, John van 't Schip, Willem Kieft, John Bosman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten will all be there. The kickoff in the Mandemakers stadium is at 20.00! RKC extend Nascimento's contract 12 Mar 2002 RKC have extended veteran defender David Nascimento's contract for another year. The 35 year-old made his debut for the Waalwijkers in the 1991/1992 season and returned to the club after spells with Utrecht and Roda.  RKC offer Hoogendorp new deal 11 Mar 2002 RKC want to breakRick Hoogendorp's current contract and offer the striker an improved deal running till 2006. The 27 year-old striker is only one goal away from becoming the Waalwijkers all-time top Ere Divisie scorer, he's currently scored a total of 46 goals for them since he joined. Marco Boogers, currently playing for Dordrecht'90, is the holder of the record on 47 goals. Hoogendorp has put away 101 goals in 244 matches during his professional career for RKC, Celta de Vigo, Dordrecht'90, MVV and Den Haag. Heerenveen beat RKC 2 - 0 09 Mar 2002 Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Jensen, Selakovic, Väyrynen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Van den Berg, Govedarica,  De Graef, Petrovic, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp, Putter and Molhoek. Heerenveen climb to 4th place Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1 03 Mar 2002 Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played. RKC hire PSV's Guido Budziak 01 Mar 2002 RKC have hired PSV's 19 year-old goalie Guido Budziak till the end of the season as a replacement for their own keeper, the  injured Rob van Dijk, who tore a tendon in his knee last weekend during the match against AZ. End of season for RKC's Rob van Dijk 25 Feb 2002 RKC's goalkeeper Rob van Dijk will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in yesterday's 3 - 2 win against AZ when he was carried off on a stretcher after only 18 minutes. He'll be out of action for 2 to 3 months and will be replaced by Khalid Sinouh who recently decided to extend his contract with the club in the hope of seeing more 1st team action. RKC beat AZ 3 - 2 24 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Kalezic, De Graef, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Kolk, Putter and Molhoek.  AZ lineup: Nijkamp, Lee, Fortes R., Wijker, Opdam, Perez, Robbemond, Lindenbergh, Van Galen, Nelisse and Huiberts. RKC will be pleased with this win which keeps their hopes alive of maybe ending the season in the top 5. The home team began rather cautiously and Kenneth Perez was able to pounce on a bad clearance to put the Alkmaarders ahead in the 8th minute. The advantage didn't last long as Robert Fuchs equalized in the 14th minute with a fine header, from an even finer Patrick van Diemen ball. Santi Kolk headed in the 2nd on the hour and later, as RKC countered, the Haagenaar passed to Michael Lamey, who slotted home the 3rd in the 76th minute. Robin Nelisse got a 90th minute 2nd goal for the visitors but it was too late to make an impact. Bad news for the Waalwijkers was goalie Rob van Dijk's departure for the dressing room with a serious knee injury in the 18th minute. The win takes the Waalwijkers into 7th place on 28 points from 34 games from 24 played while AZ stay where they were on 29 points from 24 played. RKC's Khalid Sinouh to extend contract 24 Feb 2002 RKC's reserve goalie Khalid Sinouh has told the club he wants to accept their offer of an extended stay and has turned down the opportunity to go to Cambuur Leeuwarden in order to stay in Waalwijk. He's been offered a deal for another 3 years but  actually wanted more. Nonetheless, he's still negotiating with the club and Sinouh is optimistic about his chances of seeing more 1st team action when the contract of no.1 choice keeper Rob van Dijk runs out in 2004. Ajax beat RKC 3 - 1 10 Feb 2002 Ajax lineup: Grim, Vierklau, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas and Wamberto. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Diemen, Molhoek, De Graef, Putter and Hoogendorp. Nikos Machlas really seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman, maybe there was something in his story that he lost all self-confidence under Co Adriaanse. In any case the Greek striker put the Amsterdammers ahead at the end of a poorng 45 minutes and added a 2nd (his 5th in 3 games) in the 75th.  Ajax were the better team but couldn't translate their 'superiority' into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net! After the break RKC exerted more pressure, Dejan Govedarica getting one back for the Waalwijkers in the 80th, but André Bergdølmo put away a spot shot in the 88th for the 3 - 1. Ajax stay breathing down Feyenoord's neck, both teams on 45 points from 21 games, the Rotterdammers just ahead on goal difference. RKC stay where they were in 8th on 31 from 23 played. Martin Jol extends contract with RKC 09 Feb 2002 RKC's trainer Martin Jol has told the club's general manager Marcel Brandts that he's planning to extend his contract with the Waalwijkers for an extra year. There's still one and a half years to go on his existing deal and he recently turned down the opportunity to take over at 1. FC Köln. RKC beat PSV 2 - 1 05 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kalezic, Petrovic, Kolk, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse. PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vogel, Bruggink, Gakhokidze, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman. RKC get their first home win against PSV ever Martin Jol favourite for 1.FC Köln job 05 Feb 2002 RKC's Martin Jol is currently favourite to take over at Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. The G RKC extend veterans' contracts 02 Feb 2002 RKC have offered to extend the contracts of veterans Zeljko Petrovic, Carlos van Wanrooy and David Nascimento for an extra year. Other veterans Dejan Govedarica (with the Waalwijkers since 1998) and Darije Kalezic (7 years with the club) are not so lucky and will have to look for a new club at the end of this season. RKC lose to  Willem II 0 - 1 27 Jan 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Govedarica, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Van Wanrooy, Hoogendorp, Putter and Yuri. Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Willem II may have been playing 'pretty' football in their matches before the winter break but a series of 10 draws brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Determined not to repeat that mistake trainer Hans Westerhof decided it was time to 'get tough' and the new tactic bore fruit against RKC in a highly charged 'Brabant derby'. Tarik Sektioui scored the match's only goal for the "Tricolores" with a header from a Denny Landzaat freekick in the 22nd. For RKC, ex-Volendammer Eddy Putter struck a 20 metre shot which hit the bar and, after the break, Cornelisse saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar and cross the line but had it disallowed, the 'goal' escaping the view of the officials! The Waalwijkers' frustrations mounted and, in the person of Van Wanrooy, boiled over as he had a bit of a punch-up with the 'Tricolores' bench. He was awarded a yellow card when surely a red card was deserved! The points lift Willem II into 10th place on 25 from 20 played while RKC drop to 8th on 28 from 20. Friendly Roundup 20 Jan 2002 RKC beat RBC 5 - 0 with no less than 4 goals from Rick Hoogendorp and a 5th from David Nascimento. RKC to let veterans go 14 Jan 2002 RKC want to make a fresh start next season with a younger squad than at present while at the same time reducing the numbers involved to 22 players. 3 of their 5 veterans will have to go in the summer when it's time to extend (or not) various contracts leaving Zeljko Petrovic, David Nascimento, Dejan Govedarica, Darije Kalezic and Carlos van Wanrooy wondering whether they've still got much of a future with the Waalwijkers. Vitesse and RKC draw 1 - 1 22 Dec 2001 Vitesse lineup: Jevric, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Peeters and Martel. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen and Yuri Cornelisse. Vitesse went down 4 - 1 to Den Bosch and 5 - 1 to Ajax in their last two matches but were unable to change their fortunes in this match. RKC could have gone a couple of goals up after Gary de Graef put away the first in the 1st minute but Nanu cleared Peter van den Berg's header off the line and another attempt hit the woodwork. Vitesse tried to get into the match but were too disorganised and sloppy to put together threatening moves. Ruud Knol headed in the equalizer from a Didier Martel corner in the 23rd. After the break the Arnhemmers were more agressive and Martel's run ended with a penalty for De Graef's handsball. Unfortunately Kreek didn't get it past goalie Van Dijk and both teams were left sharing the points. Volendam's Putter moves to RKC 20 Dec 2001 Volendam's Eddy Putter is set to move to RKC during the winter break. The 19 year-old striker was bought by the Waalwijkers last season and left to ripen in the Eerste Divisie but has now been called up earlier than expected due to the large amount of injured players at his new club. The youth international has played 46 games and scored 12 goals for Volendam. RKC and Sparta draw 1 - 1 16 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Bouchiba, Winter, Boukhari, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. The visitors may have been missing Danny Koevermans but they still chose to go on the attack and Nourdin Boukhari put them ahead after 11 minutes. Defending their half for the remainder of theng 45 minutes they left little room for the Waalwijkers to createngs although Rick Hoogendorp came close to the equalizer. RKC had more luck after the break and some poor defending gave Hoogendorp the chance to put away his 100th professional goal in 7 seasons for the equalizer in the 58th. Van der Heyden signs for RKC 14 Dec 2001 ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heyden has signed a contract with RKC for 5 seasons - the 19 year-old midfielder joined the Eerste Divisie side last summer, after playing as an amateur, and immediately earned himself a place in the team. NAC lose to last minute RKC goal 0 - 1 08 Dec 2001 NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. A last minute goal by Rick Hoogendorp in the 90th gave the Waalwijkers 3 valuable points which unfortunately don't actually move them any higher up the table because their nearest rival, PSV, was already 4 points clear before the start of the match. The win was pretty undeserved as NAC were clearly the better team but Rob van Dijk made a series of fine saves to keep the scoreboard empty and the Waalwijkers in the match. After the break Earnest Stewart, Youssouf Hersi and Glenn Salmon all failed to score for the home team and Rick Hoogendorp showed them how it is done. This was his 100th professional goal in his 236th professional match - he scored his first prof-goal on October 8th 1994 for Den Haag against Telstar. Tonight's defeat ends the run of unbeaten home matches that NAC have enjoyed so far and they stay where they were in 5th place! RKC beat Roda 3 - 0 01 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Roda lineup: Kalac, Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Sonkaya, Gregoor van Dijk, Nygaard, Van Dessel, Lawal, Zafarin and Anastasiou. Roda were the better team in the 1st half but neglected to convert their chances into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Lawal and Anastasiou both failed to put them away while Rob van Dijk was showing good form in goal for RKC. Robert Fuchs gave the Waalwijkers a one goal advantage to take into the dressing room in the 44th. Carlos van Wanrooy scored the 2nd in the 59th and Dejan Govedarica made it 3 - 0 in the 72nd. They earn themselves 3 points but don't change position. RKC lose to Feyenoord 2 - 3 28 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Sprockel, De Haan, De Visser, Bosvelt, Tomasson, Ono, Elmander, Van Hooijdonk and Smolarek. Feyenoord got their 2nd win in a row to keep them in pole position. Ebi Smolarek put the Rotterdammers ahead in the 34th and Paul Bosvelt gave them a healthy 0 - 2 advantage to take into the dressing room at the break with a goal in the 45th. They gave it all away in the 2nd half and a foul by a tired looking Jan de Visser allowed Rick Hoogendorp to get one back for the Waalwijkers with a spot-shot in the 50th. He headed in a 2nd 'real' goal from a Cornelisse cross in the 61st to even the score but Ebi Smolarek got his 2nd of the evening in the 75th from a Pierre van Hooijdonk pass to give Feyenoord the points - they stay on top of the table. Fortuna lose to RKC 1 - 4 24 Nov 2001 Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, Van Dieren, El Khadri, Rook, Cramb, Gerritsen and Landerl. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Fortuna were no match for the Waalwijkers and stay firmly rooted at the bottom of the table after this defeat. The visitors had 3 good chances to score in the 1st half and converted all of them into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Yuri Cornelisse put away the 1st in the 21st minute, Robert Fuchs got the 2nd in the 28th, Jochen Janssen the 3rd in the 40th and Carlos van Wanrooy added a 4th in the 54th. Their 4-0 lead was only 'dented' by a consolation goal for Fortuna from Dennis Gerritsen in the 69th. RKC are now in 8th place with 20 points from 14 games. RKC's Franken on loan to TOP Oss? 20 Nov 2001 RKC's Giovanni Franken could be set to make a move on loan to TOP Oss - the 24 year-old midfielder has only been making appearances as a sub in Waalwijk and it's hoped he'll get the chance to ripen as a player in Oss. The two clubs entered into a cooperation pact last May and both RKC's Bas Dreef and Ron Heesakkers are already playing with the Eerste Divisie side.  AZ lose to RKC 0 - 1 17 Nov 2001 AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Buskermolen, Elkhattabi and Nelisse. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Fuchs, Hoogendorp and Janssen. AZ will be disappointed to have given away the points when they could just as easily have won the match - it was only their 2nd home defeat of the season (Feyenoord being the other 'lucky' team to win in Alkmaar). That man Ali Elkhattabi missed narrowly with a header in the 1st half  - the ball bounced off the inside of the post into Van Dijk's arms. After the break he deceived the Waalwijk defence and should have rounded off his deception with a great goal but his attempt at a lob was a poor one. Yuri Cornelisse showed him how to do it by blasting in the late match-winner in the 83rd minute. RKC stay in 10th place while AZ drop to 11th.  Van Loenhout returns to RBC 16 Nov 2001 RKC's John van Loenhout is set to return on loan to his old club RBC for the rest of the current season. The midfielder has failed to get a regular place in the Waalwijkers' lineup but now that Robert Fuch's transfer from PSV to RKC is going through it clears the way for Van Loenhout to get in some regular matchplay experience at his former club. Robert Fuchs signs for RKC 16 Nov 2001 PSV's Robert Fuchs has signed a deal with RKC for four and a half years and only the obligatory medical examination remains before he can start packing his bags. The 26 year-old left-footed midfielder is a product of Eindhoven's youth scheme and was generally regarded as a player to watch. He never managed to earn himself a regular place in the PSV 1st team lineup and went on loan to De Graafschap no less than 3 times. He always did well in Doetinchem and each time was duly called back to Eindhoven only to be lent out again. His prospects of playing were even worse this season so, despite  some last minute hesitation by PSV, he'll undoubtedly be glad to go where he's wanted.  Virgilio Teixeira signs new contract 13 Nov 2001 Virgilio Teixeira has signed Utrecht beat RKC 2-1 14 Apr 2002 Utrecht Lineup:Harald Wapenaar, Stijn Vreven, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pascal Bosschaart, Stefaan Tanghe, Jean Paul de Jong (70th Robert Roest), Arno Arts (70th Tom van Mol), Dirk Kuyt, Igor Gluscevic (77th Arco Jochemsen), Dave van den Bergh, Karim Touzani. RKC Lineup: Rob van Dijk, Michael Lamey, Patrick van Diemen, Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Virgilio Texeira (84th Giovanni Franken), Zeljko Petrovic (80th Ivar van Dinteren), Dejan Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse (88th John van Loenhout), Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen. Utrecht dominated the 1st half but it took until the 31st minute before Igor Gluscevicd the score. The Domstad side should have netted another 2 or 3 goals in the 1st half but RKC's keeper Van Dijk kept his team in the match with a number of fine saves including stopping a Dirk Kuyt spot shot. Although Patrick van Diemen equalized in the 54th minute Utrecht kept pressing forward and, in the 79th, they scored again. Stefaan Tanghe picked up the ball after Van Dijk had fumbled it and shot hard  into thegoal. RKC beat Twente 3 - 1 24 Mar 2002 RKC sneak into the European-football-earning-zone after their home win over lowly placed Twente. Kurt van de Paar put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute of the game with his 3rd goal of the season. Yuri Cornelisse pulled one back in the 30th and Patrick van Diemen nosed the home side ahead 20 minutes into the 2nd half with his second goal of the season. In the 72nd minute Petrovic went for an early shower after seeing red for kicking his opponent instead of the ball. Jochem Jansen put the final 3 - 1 score on the board in the 81st minute. Patrick Pothuisen was also sent off with just one minute left on the clock after receiving his 2nd yellow card of the evening. RKC beat NEC 2 - 1 17 Mar 2002 RKC lineup: Sinouh, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Putter. NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Wisgerhof, Hesp, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Wielaert, Latuheru, Ax, Dennis de Nooijer and Jansen. The Waalwijkers had the best chances and NEC played the better football this afternoon. The home team went ahead when Jochen Janssen scored in the 27th minute but Dennis de Nooijer equalized for NEC in the 56th. RKC clinched the points as RKC show interest in Serghino Greene 15 Mar 2002 RKC are showing an interest in Ajax youth player Serghino Greene, currently on loan to Eerste Divisie side Haarlem. The 19 year-old was the subject of Anderlecht's interest and they offered him a deal for 5 years which he found too long a contract and turned it down. Perhaps the Waalwijkers will be able to make him an offer he can't refuse! Oranje 1988 play RKC in benefit match 15 Mar 2002 The Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988 by beating their traditional 'foes' Germany in the final will be turning out on May 7th to play against RKC Waalwijk in a charity match to benefit the SOS childrens village scheme. All 18 players in the original squad have agreed to take part : Hans van Breukelen, Joop Hiele, Berry van Aerle, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ronald Koeman, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Koevermans, Wilbert Suvrijn, Gerald Vanenburg, Aron Winter, Jan Wouters, John van 't Schip, Willem Kieft, John Bosman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten will all be there. The kickoff in the Mandemakers stadium is at 20.00! RKC extend Nascimento's contract 12 Mar 2002 RKC have extended veteran defender David Nascimento's contract for another year. The 35 year-old made his debut for the Waalwijkers in the 1991/1992 season and returned to the club after spells with Utrecht and Roda.  RKC offer Hoogendorp new deal 11 Mar 2002 RKC want to breakRick Hoogendorp's current contract and offer the striker an improved deal running till 2006. The 27 year-old striker is only one goal away from becoming the Waalwijkers all-time top Ere Divisie scorer, he's currently scored a total of 46 goals for them since he joined. Marco Boogers, currently playing for Dordrecht'90, is the holder of the record on 47 goals. Hoogendorp has put away 101 goals in 244 matches during his professional career for RKC, Celta de Vigo, Dordrecht'90, MVV and Den Haag. Heerenveen beat RKC 2 - 0 09 Mar 2002 Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Jensen, Selakovic, Väyrynen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Van den Berg, Govedarica,  De Graef, Petrovic, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp, Putter and Molhoek. Heerenveen climb to 4th place this evening after their 2-0 home win over low budget, high profile RKC and keep their title hopes.  With 45 points they are now only 1 point behind Feyenoord. There was little to choose between the teams in the 1st half and Frieslanders should have gone 1 - 0 up just before the break but Allbäck's shot hit the post. Heerenveen justified their higher table ranking with 2 goals in theng 15 minutes of the 2nd half. Stefan Selakovicd the score 3 minutes into the second half.  RKC's Rogier Molhoek picked up his 2nd yellow card and went off for an early shower in the 56th and, one minute later, Anthony Lurling put the freekick away for the 2 - 0. Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1 03 Mar 2002 Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played. RKC hire PSV's Guido Budziak 01 Mar 2002 RKC have hired PSV's 19 year-old goalie Guido Budziak till the end of the season as a replacement for their own keeper, the  injured Rob van Dijk, who tore a tendon in his knee last weekend during the match against AZ. End of season for RKC's Rob van Dijk 25 Feb 2002 RKC's goalkeeper Rob van Dijk will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in yesterday's 3 - 2 win against AZ when he was carried off on a stretcher after only 18 minutes. He'll be out of action for 2 to 3 months and will be replaced by Khalid Sinouh who recently decided to extend his contract with the club in the hope of seeing more 1st team action. RKC beat AZ 3 - 2 24 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Kalezic, De Graef, Fuchs, Van Diemen, Kolk, Putter and Molhoek.  AZ lineup: Nijkamp, Lee, Fortes R., Wijker, Opdam, Perez, Robbemond, Lindenbergh, Van Galen, Nelisse and Huiberts. RKC will be pleased with this win which keeps their hopes alive of maybe ending the season in the top 5. The home team began rather cautiously and Kenneth Perez was able to pounce on a bad clearance to put the Alkmaarders ahead in the 8th minute. The advantage didn't last long as Robert Fuchs equalized in the 14th minute with a fine header, from an even finer Patrick van Diemen ball. Santi Kolk headed in the 2nd on the hour and later, as RKC countered, the Haagenaar passed to Michael Lamey, who slotted home the 3rd in the 76th minute. Robin Nelisse got a 90th minute 2nd goal for the visitors but it was too late to make an impact. Bad news for the Waalwijkers was goalie Rob van Dijk's departure for the dressing room with a serious knee injury in the 18th minute. The win takes the Waalwijkers into 7th place on 28 points from 34 games from 24 played while AZ stay where they were on 29 points from 24 played. RKC's Khalid Sinouh to extend contract 24 Feb 2002 RKC's reserve goalie Khalid Sinouh has told the club he wants to accept their offer of an extended stay and has turned down the opportunity to go to Cambuur Leeuwarden in order to stay in Waalwijk. He's been offered a deal for another 3 years but  actually wanted more. Nonetheless, he's still negotiating with the club and Sinouh is optimistic about his chances of seeing more 1st team action when the contract of no.1 choice keeper Rob van Dijk runs out in 2004. Ajax beat RKC 3 - 1 10 Feb 2002 Ajax lineup: Grim, Vierklau, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas and Wamberto. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Diemen, Molhoek, De Graef, Putter and Hoogendorp. Nikos Machlas really seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman, maybe there was something in his story that he lost all self-confidence under Co Adriaanse. In any case the Greek striker put the Amsterdammers ahead at the end of a poorng 45 minutes and added a 2nd (his 5th in 3 games) in the 75th.  Ajax were the better team but couldn't translate their 'superiority' into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net! After the break RKC exerted more pressure, Dejan Govedarica getting one back for the Waalwijkers in the 80th, but André Bergdølmo put away a spot shot in the 88th for the 3 - 1. Ajax stay breathing down Feyenoord's neck, both teams on 45 points from 21 games, the Rotterdammers just ahead on goal difference. RKC stay where they were in 8th on 31 from 23 played. Martin Jol extends contract with RKC 09 Feb 2002 RKC's trainer Martin Jol has told the club's general manager Marcel Brandts that he's planning to extend his contract with the Waalwijkers for an extra year. There's still one and a half years to go on his existing deal and he recently turned down the opportunity to take over at 1. FC Köln. RKC beat PSV 2 - 1 05 Feb 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Govedarica, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kalezic, Petrovic, Kolk, Van Diemen, Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse. PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vogel, Bruggink, Gakhokidze, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman. RKC get their first home win against PSV ever thanks to a match-winner from young Eddy Putter who's done so well for the Waalwijkers since arriving from Volendam. In a mediocre 1st half Rick Hoogendorp scored his 46th for the club in the 23rd minute tothe score. The match was then suspended for 20 minutes after a mindless RKC 'fan' decided it would be fun to throw golfballs at PSV-keeper Patrick Lodewijks. The visitors came back after the break and Michael Lamey's mistake (he's on his way to Eindhoven in the summer) served Georgi Gakhokidze up with the perfect opportunity to put away the equalizer in the 61st minute. PSV had more chances to decide the match but Mateja Kezman was off-form and Dennis Rommedahl missed the best of all. Eddy Putter sealed the points for the Waalwijkers with a neat header in the 83rd. Both teams remain were they were, RKC in 8th on 31 points from 22 played and PSV in 2nd place on 40 from 22. Martin Jol favourite for 1.FC Köln job 05 Feb 2002 RKC's Martin Jol is currently favourite to take over at Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. The German side recently sacked their trainer Ewald Lienen whose job's been taken over temporarily by amateur-trainer Christoph John. The Waalwijkers' trainer, who was voted Holland's 2001's "Trainer of the Year", played 9 matches for Bayern München in the 1978/1979 season. RKC extend veterans' contracts 02 Feb 2002 RKC have offered to extend the contracts of veterans Zeljko Petrovic, Carlos van Wanrooy and David Nascimento for an extra year. Other veterans Dejan Govedarica (with the Waalwijkers since 1998) and Darije Kalezic (7 years with the club) are not so lucky and will have to look for a new club at the end of this season. RKC lose to  Willem II 0 - 1 27 Jan 2002 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Govedarica, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Van Wanrooy, Hoogendorp, Putter and Yuri. Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Willem II may have been playing 'pretty' football in their matches before the winter break but a series of 10 draws brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Determined not to repeat that mistake trainer Hans Westerhof decided it was time to 'get tough' and the new tactic bore fruit against RKC in a highly charged 'Brabant derby'. Tarik Sektioui scored the match's only goal for the "Tricolores" with a header from a Denny Landzaat freekick in the 22nd. For RKC, ex-Volendammer Eddy Putter struck a 20 metre shot which hit the bar and, after the break, Cornelisse saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar and cross the line but had it disallowed, the 'goal' escaping the view of the officials! The Waalwijkers' frustrations mounted and, in the person of Van Wanrooy, boiled over as he had a bit of a punch-up with the 'Tricolores' bench. He was awarded a yellow card when surely a red card was deserved! The points lift Willem II into 10th place on 25 from 20 played while RKC drop to 8th on 28 from 20. Friendly Roundup 20 Jan 2002 RKC beat RBC 5 - 0 with no less than 4 goals from Rick Hoogendorp and a 5th from David Nascimento. RKC to let veterans go 14 Jan 2002 RKC want to make a fresh start next season with a younger squad than at present while at the same time reducing the numbers involved to 22 players. 3 of their 5 veterans will have to go in the summer when it's time to extend (or not) various contracts leaving Zeljko Petrovic, David Nascimento, Dejan Govedarica, Darije Kalezic and Carlos van Wanrooy wondering whether they've still got much of a future with the Waalwijkers. Vitesse and RKC draw 1 - 1 22 Dec 2001 Vitesse lineup: Jevric, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Peeters and Martel. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Hoogendorp, Janssen and Yuri Cornelisse. Vitesse went down 4 - 1 to Den Bosch and 5 - 1 to Ajax in their last two matches but were unable to change their fortunes in this match. RKC could have gone a couple of goals up after Gary de Graef put away the first in the 1st minute but Nanu cleared Peter van den Berg's header off the line and another attempt hit the woodwork. Vitesse tried to get into the match but were too disorganised and sloppy to put together threatening moves. Ruud Knol headed in the equalizer from a Didier Martel corner in the 23rd. After the break the Arnhemmers were more agressive and Martel's run ended with a penalty for De Graef's handsball. Unfortunately Kreek didn't get it past goalie Van Dijk and both teams were left sharing the points. Volendam's Putter moves to RKC 20 Dec 2001 Volendam's Eddy Putter is set to move to RKC during the winter break. The 19 year-old striker was bought by the Waalwijkers last season and left to ripen in the Eerste Divisie but has now been called up earlier than expected due to the large amount of injured players at his new club. The youth international has played 46 games and scored 12 goals for Volendam. RKC and Sparta draw 1 - 1 16 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Van Diemen, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Bouchiba, Winter, Boukhari, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. The visitors may have been missing Danny Koevermans but they still chose to go on the attack and Nourdin Boukhari put them ahead after 11 minutes. Defending their half for the remainder of theng 45 minutes they left little room for the Waalwijkers to createngs although Rick Hoogendorp came close to the equalizer. RKC had more luck after the break and some poor defending gave Hoogendorp the chance to put away his 100th professional goal in 7 seasons for the equalizer in the 58th. Van der Heyden signs for RKC 14 Dec 2001 ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heyden has signed a contract with RKC for 5 seasons - the 19 year-old midfielder joined the Eerste Divisie side last summer, after playing as an amateur, and immediately earned himself a place in the team. NAC lose to last minute RKC goal 0 - 1 08 Dec 2001 NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. A last minute goal by Rick Hoogendorp in the 90th gave the Waalwijkers 3 valuable points which unfortunately don't actually move them any higher up the table because their nearest rival, PSV, was already 4 points clear before the start of the match. The win was pretty undeserved as NAC were clearly the better team but Rob van Dijk made a series of fine saves to keep the scoreboard empty and the Waalwijkers in the match. After the break Earnest Stewart, Youssouf Hersi and Glenn Salmon all failed to score for the home team and Rick Hoogendorp showed them how it is done. This was his 100th professional goal in his 236th professional match - he scored his first prof-goal on October 8th 1994 for Den Haag against Telstar. Tonight's defeat ends the run of unbeaten home matches that NAC have enjoyed so far and they stay where they were in 5th place! RKC beat Roda 3 - 0 01 Dec 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Govedarica, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Roda lineup: Kalac, Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Sonkaya, Gregoor van Dijk, Nygaard, Van Dessel, Lawal, Zafarin and Anastasiou. Roda were the better team in the 1st half but neglected to convert their chances into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Lawal and Anastasiou both failed to put them away while Rob van Dijk was showing good form in goal for RKC. Robert Fuchs gave the Waalwijkers a one goal advantage to take into the dressing room in the 44th. Carlos van Wanrooy scored the 2nd in the 59th and Dejan Govedarica made it 3 - 0 in the 72nd. They earn themselves 3 points but don't change position. RKC lose to Feyenoord 2 - 3 28 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Sprockel, De Haan, De Visser, Bosvelt, Tomasson, Ono, Elmander, Van Hooijdonk and Smolarek. Feyenoord got their 2nd win in a row to keep them in pole position. Ebi Smolarek put the Rotterdammers ahead in the 34th and Paul Bosvelt gave them a healthy 0 - 2 advantage to take into the dressing room at the break with a goal in the 45th. They gave it all away in the 2nd half and a foul by a tired looking Jan de Visser allowed Rick Hoogendorp to get one back for the Waalwijkers with a spot-shot in the 50th. He headed in a 2nd 'real' goal from a Cornelisse cross in the 61st to even the score but Ebi Smolarek got his 2nd of the evening in the 75th from a Pierre van Hooijdonk pass to give Feyenoord the points - they stay on top of the table. Fortuna lose to RKC 1 - 4 24 Nov 2001 Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, Van Dieren, El Khadri, Rook, Cramb, Gerritsen and Landerl. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Wanrooy, Fuchs, Yuri Cornelisse, Hoogendorp and Janssen. Fortuna were no match for the Waalwijkers and stay firmly rooted at the bottom of the table after this defeat. The visitors had 3 good chances to score in the 1st half and converted all of them into goals-in-the-back-of-the-net. Yuri Cornelisse put away the 1st in the 21st minute, Robert Fuchs got the 2nd in the 28th, Jochen Janssen the 3rd in the 40th and Carlos van Wanrooy added a 4th in the 54th. Their 4-0 lead was only 'dented' by a consolation goal for Fortuna from Dennis Gerritsen in the 69th. RKC are now in 8th place with 20 points from 14 games. RKC's Franken on loan to TOP Oss? 20 Nov 2001 RKC's Giovanni Franken could be set to make a move on loan to TOP Oss - the 24 year-old midfielder has only been making appearances as a sub in Waalwijk and it's hoped he'll get the chance to ripen as a player in Oss. The two clubs entered into a cooperation pact last May and both RKC's Bas Dreef and Ron Heesakkers are already playing with the Eerste Divisie side.  AZ lose to RKC 0 - 1 17 Nov 2001 AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Buskermolen, Elkhattabi and Nelisse. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Petrovic, Fuchs, Hoogendorp and Janssen. AZ will be disappointed to have given away the points when they could just as easily have won the match - it was only their 2nd home defeat of the season (Feyenoord being the other 'lucky' team to win in Alkmaar). That man Ali Elkhattabi missed narrowly with a header in the 1st half  - the ball bounced off the inside of the post into Van Dijk's arms. After the break he deceived the Waalwijk defence and should have rounded off his deception with a great goal but his attempt at a lob was a poor one. Yuri Cornelisse showed him how to do it by blasting in the late match-winner in the 83rd minute. RKC stay in 10th place while AZ drop to 11th.  Van Loenhout returns to RBC 16 Nov 2001 RKC's John van Loenhout is set to return on loan to his old club RBC for the rest of the current season. The midfielder has failed to get a regular place in the Waalwijkers' lineup but now that Robert Fuch's transfer from PSV to RKC is going through it clears the way for Van Loenhout to get in some regular matchplay experience at his former club. Robert Fuchs signs for RKC 16 Nov 2001 PSV's Robert Fuchs has signed a deal with RKC for four and a half years and only the obligatory medical examination remains before he can start packing his bags. The 26 year-old left-footed midfielder is a product of Eindhoven's youth scheme and was generally regarded as a player to watch. He never managed to earn himself a regular place in the PSV 1st team lineup and went on loan to De Graafschap no less than 3 times. He always did well in Doetinchem and each time was duly called back to Eindhoven only to be lent out again. His prospects of playing were even worse this season so, despite  some last minute hesitation by PSV, he'll undoubtedly be glad to go where he's wanted.  Virgilio Teixeira signs new contract 13 Nov 2001 Virgilio Teixeira has signed contract with RKC which binds him to the club RKC test amateur Mounim el Morabet 12 Nov 2001 RKC have offered a week's trial to amateur Mounim el Morabet who currently plays for SDC Putten. The 24 year-old striker, who also played for amateur sides Elinkwijk, Heerjansdam and GVVV, was pleasantly surprised by Martin Jol's invitation and is determined to do his best - it could be his last chance to get a prof contract. Robert Fuchs stays with PSV 10 Nov 2001 PSV have announced that Robert Fuchs wil RBC interested in John van Loenhout 07 Nov 2001 RBC are said to be interested in RKC's John van Loenhout. The 24 year-old midfielder is without a regular place in the 1st team in Waalwijk and has played for the Roosendaalers before, between 1996 and 2000. RKC and Den Bosch draw 3 - 3 03 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Loenhout, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Den Bosch lineup: De Jong, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Peelen, Mourad, Michels, Deckers, Peys, Van den Eede and De Freitas. Peter Uneken put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute but Belgian striker Jochen Janssen (still not 100% fit) and Rogier Molhoek remedied matters with goals for the Waalwijkers in the 24th and 32nd minutes. Janssen got his 2nd of the evening in the 57th to take the score to 3 - 1. The Waalwijkers then proceded to let their handsome advantage slip out of their grasp and allowed the visitors to draw level, earning themselves a valuable point. Fred van der Hoorn scored for the 3 - 2 in the 70th and Mourad got the 3 - 3 in the 80th. RKC move for Den Haag's Van der Heijden 02 Nov 2001 RKC are interested in signing ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heijden at the end of the season - the Waalwijkers and the player are currently negotiating terms. The 19 year-old midfielder became a full prof last year and has played 8 matches, scoring once, for the Eerste Divisie side. PSV beat RKC 2 - 0 27 Oct 2001 PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Ooijer, Faber, Hofland, Heintze, John de Jong, Lucius, Bruggink, Bouma, Rommedahl and Vennegoor of Hesselink.  RKC lineup: Van Dijk, De Graef, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp.  This was the 3rd win in a row for PSV - Kezman and Vogel were left out to give John de Jong and Arnold Bruggink a chance to shine. Bruggink, in particular, didn't -  missing several chances in the 1st half before being replaced by Kezman after an hour's play. Dennis Rommedahl was the key player, first with a left footed shot for a goal in the 19th minute as well as setting up substitute Mateja Kezman, who slid it away for the 2nd goal in the 81st. Rick Hoogendorp had the best chance for the Waalwijkers before the break but, when only faced by goalie Lodewijks, he blasted well over the bar. The performance was not classic PSV but it will do for the time being and helps them to climb to 5th place while RKC are in 10th. RKC beat Emmen in 3rd Round Amstel Cup 24 Oct 2001 RKC have beaten Eerste Divisie side Emmen in the 3rd Round of the Amstel Cup, although it took a Rick Hoogendorp spot-shot to secure the win for the Waalwijkers. Emmen's trainer Hennie Spijkerman had decided that success in the league was more important than the Cup and had left Paul Weerman, Alfons Arts, Joseph Oosting and Jeffrey de Visscher out of the lineup so that they can get some rest before the coming Eerste Divisie match against Helmond. Willem II beat RKC 3 - 1 20 Oct 2001 Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, Jaliens, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijssen, Landzaat, Victoria, Caluwé, Ceesay, Bombarda and Abdellaoui. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Van Wanrooy, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Kolk, Franken and Hoogendorp. Willem II immediately put the Waalwijkers under pressure - Yassine Abdellaoui and Mariano Bombarda both had chances tothe score. A goal each in the dying seconds of the 1st half kept both teams level going into the break - Tom Caluwé slammed in the first for the "Tricolores" but a few seconds later Rick Hoogendorp equalized with a spectacular shot. RKC took over in the 2nd half and launched a series of attacks - Ceesay put away the 2nd for the home team in the 58th. Abdellaoui, Bombarda and Ceesay all lacked the necessary sharpness of vision to increase the score until Ceesay finally added a 3rd in the 90th.  Heerenveen hire Kolk to RKC 15 Oct 2001 Heerenveen have hired Santi Kolk to RKC for the rest of the season. The 20 year-old striker, who's in his 2nd season with Heerenveen but sees little action, has also managed to negotiate an option for the Waaalwijkers to buy him if he impresses. Ajax beat RKC 0 - 2 13 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Wanrooy, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Ajax lineup: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart, Wamberto, Machlas and Van der Meyde. Ajax have broken the Waalwijkers unbeaten home record (their last defeat in the Mandemakers stadium was 18 months ago by Heerenveen) and strengthened their top-of-the-table position with another win. Rafael van der Vaart missed a nice chance (it slid just wide) in the first minute as the Amsterdammers surprised the home side with the ferocity of theirng attacks. Machlas had another good attempt saved and Van der Vaart had one cleared off the line before he curled one in, and over, the head of Van Dijk tothe score in the 13th (his 7th in 8 matches) and could have added more if he'd been a bit sharper/luckier. Ajax let things slip after ther and RKC had the opportunity to get back into the match but, even though they played a better 2nd half, they only really threatened Fred Grim twice in the whole match. Mitchell Pique came on in the 89th and added a 2nd with practically his first touch, from a Trabelsi pass, to give the Amsterdammers another 3 points. RKC beat De Graafschap 2 - 0 09 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Janssen and Hoogendorp. De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Berck Beelenkamp, Vreman, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van Leerdam, Van den Brom, Turpijn, Schulp and Van Vossen. A poor clearance by Rick Postma gave Rick Hoogendorp the chance to put the Waalwijkers in the lead after 5 minutes. Apart from a Dennis Schulp shot which hit the bar, the "SuperBoeren" had little to contribute in this match. RKC's professional performance was crowned with a 2nd Hoogendorp goal to seal the points nine minutes from time and they move into 4th place. Utrecht beat RKC 2 - 1 30 Sept 2001 FC Utrecht: Wapenaar, Vreven, Touzani, Zwaanswijk, Bosschaart, Tanghe, Jean-Paul de Jong, Arts, van den Bergh, Kuyt and Gluscevic. RKC Waalwijk: Van Dijk, Teixeira, Lamey, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Utrecht remain unbeaten at home in their Galgenwaard stadium - this was their 4th win in a row. RKC test amateur Mounim el Morabet 12 Nov 2001 RKC have offered a week's trial to amateur Mounim el Morabet who currently plays for SDC Putten. The 24 year-old striker, who also played for amateur sides Elinkwijk, Heerjansdam and GVVV, was pleasantly surprised by Martin Jol's invitation and is determined to do his best - it could be his last chance to get a prof contract. Robert Fuchs stays with PSV 10 Nov 2001 PSV have announced that Robert Fuchs will not be going on loan to RKC as was originally planned - the Eindhoven side have too many injured players and have decided to hold onto him. The 26 year-old (who has played for 8 years in the Ere Divisie, scoring 19 times) spent the 2nd half of last season on loan to De Graafschap and currently plays for PSV's reserve team. RBC interested in John van Loenhout 07 Nov 2001 RBC are said to be interested in RKC's John van Loenhout. The 24 year-old midfielder is without a regular place in the 1st team in Waalwijk and has played for the Roosendaalers before, between 1996 and 2000. RKC and Den Bosch draw 3 - 3 03 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Loenhout, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Den Bosch lineup: De Jong, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Peelen, Mourad, Michels, Deckers, Peys, Van den Eede and De Freitas. Peter Uneken put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute but Belgian striker Jochen Janssen (still not 100% fit) and Rogier Molhoek remedied matters with goals for the Waalwijkers in the 24th and 32nd minutes. Janssen got his 2nd of the evening in the 57th to take the score to 3 - 1. The Waalwijkers then proceded to let their handsome advantage slip out of their grasp and allowed the visitors to draw level, earning themselves a valuable point. Fred van der Hoorn scored for the 3 - 2 in the 70th and Mourad got the 3 - 3 in the 80th. RKC move for Den Haag's Van der Heijden 02 Nov 2001 RKC are interested in signing ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heijden at the end of the season - the Waalwijkers and the player are currently negotiating terms. The 19 year-old midfielder became a full prof last year and has played 8 matches, scoring once, for the Eerste Divisie side. PSV beat RKC 2 - 0 27 Oct 2001 PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Ooijer, Faber, Hofland, Heintze, John de Jong, Lucius, Bruggink, Bouma, Rommedahl and Vennegoor of Hesselink.  RKC lineup: Van Dijk, De Graef, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp.  This was the 3rd win in a row for PSV - Kezman and Vogel were left out to give John de Jong and Arnold Bruggink a chance to shine. Bruggink, in particular, didn't -  missing several chances in the 1st half before being replaced by Kezman after an hour's play. Dennis Rommedahl was the key player, first with a left footed shot for a goal in the 19th minute as well as setting up substitute Mateja Kezman, who slid it away for the 2nd goal in the 81st. Rick Hoogendorp had the best chance for the Waalwijkers before the break but, when only faced by goalie Lodewijks, he blasted well over the bar. The performance was not classic PSV but it will do for the time being and helps them to climb to 5th place while RKC are in 10th. RKC beat Emmen in 3rd Round Amstel Cup 24 Oct 2001 RKC have beaten Eerste Divisie side Emmen in the 3rd Round of the Amstel Cup, although it took a Rick Hoogendorp spot-shot to secure the win for the Waalwijkers. Emmen's trainer Hennie Spijkerman had decided that success in the league was more important than the Cup and had left Paul Weerman, Alfons Arts, Joseph Oosting and Jeffrey de Visscher out of the lineup so that they can get some rest before the coming Eerste Divisie match against Helmond. Willem II beat RKC 3 - 1 20 Oct 2001 Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, Jaliens, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijssen, Landzaat, Victoria, Caluwé, Ceesay, Bombarda and Abdellaoui. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Van Wanrooy, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Kolk, Franken and Hoogendorp. Willem II immediately put the Waalwijkers under pressure - Yassine Abdellaoui and Mariano Bombarda both had chances tothe score. A goal each in the dying seconds of the 1st half kept both teams level going into the break - Tom Caluwé slammed in the first for the "Tricolores" but a few seconds later Rick Hoogendorp equalized with a spectacular shot. RKC took over in the 2nd half and launched a series of attacks - Ceesay put away the 2nd for the home team in the 58th. Abdellaoui, Bombarda and Ceesay all lacked the necessary sharpness of vision to increase the score until Ceesay finally added a 3rd in the 90th.  Heerenveen hire Kolk to RKC 15 Oct 2001 Heerenveen have hired Santi Kolk to RKC for the rest of the season. The 20 year-old striker, who's in his 2nd season with Heerenveen but sees little action, has also managed to negotiate an option for the Waaalwijkers to buy him if he impresses. Ajax beat RKC 0 - 2 13 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Wanrooy, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Ajax lineup: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart, Wamberto, Machlas and Van der Meyde. Ajax have broken the Waalwijkers unbeaten home record (their last defeat in the Mandemakers stadium was 18 months ago by Heerenveen) and strengthened their top-of-the-table position with another win. Rafael van der Vaart missed a nice chance (it slid just wide) in the first minute as the Amsterdammers surprised the home side with the ferocity of theirng attacks. Machlas had another good attempt saved and Van der Vaart had one cleared off the line before he curled one in, and over, the head of Van Dijk tothe score in the 13th (his 7th in 8 matches) and could have added more if he'd been a bit sharper/luckier. Ajax let things slip after ther and RKC had the opportunity to get back into the match but, even though they played a better 2nd half, they only really threatened Fred Grim twice in the whole match. Mitchell Pique came on in the 89th and added a 2nd with practically his first touch, from a Trabelsi pass, to give the Amsterdammers another 3 points. RKC beat De Graafschap 2 - 0 09 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Janssen and Hoogendorp. De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Berck Beelenkamp, Vreman, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van Leerdam, Van den Brom, Turpijn, Schulp and Van Vossen. A poor clearance by Rick Postma gave Rick Hoogendorp the chance to put the Waalwijkers in the lead after 5 minutes. Apart from a Dennis Schulp shot which hit the bar, the "SuperBoeren" had little to contribute in this match. RKC's professional performance was crowned with a 2nd Hoogendorp goal to seal the points nine minutes from time and they move into 4th place. Utrecht beat RKC 2 - 1 30 Sept 2001 FC Utrecht: Wapenaar, Vreven, Touzani, Zwaanswijk, Bosschaart, Tanghe, Jean-Paul de Jong, Arts, van den Bergh, Kuyt and Gluscevic. RKC Waalwijk: Van Dijk, Teixeira, Lamey, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Utrecht remain unbeaten at home in their Galgenwaard stadium - this was their 4th win in a row. RKC beat Fortuna 1 - 0 22 Sept 2001 RKC lineup: Rob van Dijk, Patrick van Diemen, David Nascimento (replaced in 50th by Virgillio Teixeira), Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Rogier Molhoek (replaced in 46th by Fabian Peppinck), Zeljko Petrovic, Dejan Govedarica, Joeri Cornelisse, Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen (replaced in 76th by Giovanni Franken). Fortuna lineup: Ruud Hesp, Fritz Emeran, Jochem van der Hoeven, René van Dieren, Edwin Hermans, Marco Heering, Misha Rook, Pascal Averdijk, Dennis Gerritsen (replaced in 46th by Stijn Haeldermans), Ronald Hamming, Colin Cramb (replaced in 77th by Meszaros). The score was the most exciting thing about this match but it needed a penalty to get one on the board. Fortuna are already starting to look like they'll have to fight to prevent relegation  this season while the Waalwijkers had a poor start to the season until their 3 - 0 against Groningen. Despite an attacking lineup with Colin Cramb, Ronald Hamming, Pascal Averdijk and Marco Heering, Fortuna showed little more than their intentions to score. RKC were equally uninspired and both teams excelled in poor passing. Colin Cramb had the best shot of the 1st half which goalie Rob van Dijk managed to tip onto the bar.  The 2nd half was equally poor entertainment and it took Rick Hoogendorp's spot-shot in the 63rd minute (when there was some pulling of Virgillio Teixeira's shirt) to give the Waalwijkers the points. RKC want Tzetkov 17 Sept 2001 RKC are planning to make Heerenveen an offer for Ivan Tzetkov who they see as a replacement for Joey Gudjonsson, the young Icelandic player who recently moved to Real Betis Sevilla. The 22 yeard-old Bulgarian striker has made few appearances in the last 3 seasons since joining Heerenveen in 1997 but has done better with Eerste Divisie Veendam. He was the club's top scorer last season with 18 goals to his name and has already put 5 away this season.  Gudjonsson signs for Real Betis Sevilla 12 Sept 2001 RKC's Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjonsson has signed a contract for 6 years with Spanish side Real Betis Sevilla. The 21 year-old joined the Waalwijkers in the summer of 2000 from Eerste Divisie side MVV and has impressed with the quality of his passing and tactical insight. RKC's Martin Brands expects that the deal will be finalised soon but is cautious about signing a replacement after the problems the club had with the loan of Rick Hoogendorp to Celta de Figo last year. Gudjonsson was also doubtful about the move and only signed when he received a guarantee that he would get to see regular action for his new club. It's not clear how much the fee will be but it is expected to be a new club record, breaking the previous €3.18 milion PSV paid for Michael Lamey. Sparta and RKC in goalless draw 09 Sept 2001 Sparta took a 5 - 0 hammering in the Kuip in theirr of the season, corrected themselves with a nice 3 - 1 against Utrecht but went down 3 - 0 at AZ. RKC started with two away defeats, 1 - 0 at Twente and NEC, but had an encouraging 4 - 0 home win against Groningen.  Sparta lined-up: Kooiman, Mendes, Goossen, Winter, van der Meer, Bouchiba, Inia, Zijm, Nielsen, Boukhari and Blinker. RKC lined-up: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, van den Berg, van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Petrovic, van Diemen, Gudjonsson, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Highlight of this match was David Mendes da Silva's sending off in the 37th minute which led to howls of protest from the home team but it was clearly a foul on Cornelisse. The Waalwijkers managed to look better than their opponents during the rest of the match but failed to benefit from their advantage in numbers (Kooiman was pulling off some great saves) and missed out on a handy 3 away points to take home. Instead there were only yellow cards to add to the statistics (4 for Sparta, 1 for RKC). The whistle didn't come a moment too soon. Petrov on loan to Den Haag 05 Sept 2001 RKC are lending 27 year-old Russian Youri Petrov to ADO Den Haag for the rest of this season. The former Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, RKC and FC Twente striker is in his 4th season for the Waalwijkers and his contract runs till 2003. RKC beat Groningen 4 - 0 26 Aug 2001 RKC will be pleased that they've won this one - they've made a bad start to the season but, after today's convincing rout of Groningen, seem to be back in touch with their distinctive formula. The Northerners were a pale shadow of the team that started the season by holding PSV to a 2 - 2 draw, looking sluggish, as if the heat was sapping the energy out of their legs and spent much of the match chasing after the Waalwijkers who could pretty much go and do as they pleased! Johan Gudjonsson gave them the first goal in the 12th minute and added a 2nd from the spot in the 32nd. Another penalty in the 39th was put away by Rick Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse made it 4 - 0 in the 44th. After the break the home team also started to suffer from the blazing heat while Groningen remained their aimless selves - they can be grateful that Cornelisse (twice), John van Loenhout and substitutes Abdeslam Assouiki (post) and Dejan Govedarica were all off target - the final score could have been much worse!  RKC test Real youngster 21 Aug 2001 RKC are testing Belgian midfielder Kevin Franck this week  - the 19 year-old currently plays for Real Madrid's reserves. The Waalwijkers are not actually in the market for a midfielder, says general manager Marcel Brandts, but it's always worth taking a look at an up-and-coming talent.  Twente beat RKC 1 - 0 18 Aug 2001 The first goal of the new Dutch Ere Divisie season took just 7-and-a-bit minutes to be scored - Arjan van der Laan was the happy man and a practically full stadium with 13,350 fans witnessed the ball disappearing into the back of the net. It was the only goal of the match but was enough to give the "Tukkers" their first 3 home points of 2001/2002. The home team had looked rather ineffective against PSV in the Super Cup match last Sunday but started this match in more convincing style. The Waalwijkers, however, showed that they were seriously weakened by the absence of Patrick van Diemen (suspended), Zeljko Petrovic and Dejan Goveradica. A one-two with Chris de Witte gave the Twente captain the opportunity to put his side ahead in the 8th and they could have increased the number-on-the-board only Scott Booth, himself hit too many missers tonight. The visitors didn't do any better and only bothered Sander Boschker once in 90 minutes. Ellery Cairo was brought on for De Witte but that too didn't change the final score. Twente go top but not for long methinks! RKC lose friendly 10 Aug 2001 RKC lost their friendly against South Korea 0 - 1. Despite the absence of several imprtant players the Waalwijkers did well to hold their own but had to admit defeat at the hands (feet?) of the Koreans who won with a 1st half goal by Perugia's Jung Hwan Ahn. Redan misses next season? 01 Aug 2001 It looks as though Iwan Redan could miss most, or even all, of next season after exploratory surgery revealed that the RKC striker has torn ligaments in his right knee. It is not the first time the former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC Roosendaal player has been out of action for a long time with a knee injury. In 1997, while playing for Vitesse, he tore ligaments in his left knee which kept him on the injured list for 7 months. The 20 year-old made his professional debut on March 5th 2000 for, the then, First Division RBC Roosendaal, scoring his first goal in his first match against Excelsior (they lost 4-2). He recently scored 3 goals as substitute for "Jong Oranje" against Estland on June 1st (they won 0-5). RKC's Iwan Redan injured 30 July 2001 RKC will be missing Iwan Redan for the start of the season. The 20 year-old striker has injured his knee in training and will have to go into hospital for exploratory surgery to see what the extent of the damage is. He made his Ere Divisie debut for RBC Roosendaal in 2 seasons ago and has played 24 matches for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals. RKC knocked out of Intertoto 22 July 2001 RKC are out of the Intertoto tournament after a 3 - 1 defeat in Germany by 1860 München. The German side proved once again, after beating the Waalwijkers 1 - 2 in Holland, that they are the stronger side - Michael Wiesingerd the score for them, and it was only the good work done by RKC's alert goalie Rob Van Dijk that prevented more 1st half damage being done. They were fortunate that John van Loenhout pulled them level before halftime with their first real chance of the match. After the break they managed to hold onto till the 78th minute before veteran Thomas Häßler showed how dangerous he is with his freekicks to make it 2 - 1 and, in ijury time, Martin Max got took the final score to 3 - 1. RKC lose to 1860 München 1 - 2 15 July 2001 RKC have lost the 1st leg of their Intertoto 3rd round meeting with 1860 München  1 - 2. The German side lived up to their reputation for being a strong team, they are also a bit further than the Dutch club with their preparations for next season, and it showed on pitch. They looked the better team throughout the match even though Peter van den Berg put the Waalwijkers ahead in the 18th minute. Thomas Hässler equalized just before halftime from a freekick and Martin Max added a 2nd in the 72nd minute, just as the home team had been starting to make more of an impression. It will be very tough going for RKC to pull a win out of the bag in Germany but we wish them luck! RKC - 1860 München  3rd round Intertoto 08 July 2001 It's been announced that RKC's opponents in the 3rd round of the Intertoto tournament will be 1860 München. RKC sign Jochen Janssen 07 July 2001 RKC have added Jochen Janssen to their squad on a contract for 5 years. The 25 year-old striker comes from Austria Wien and played earlier for Club Brugge and Westerloo. Although the Belgian player still officially has to pass his medical he was already present for training today. He's the latest addition to the Waalwijkers' lineup after the signing of Patrick van Diemen and Rogier Molhoek. Patrick van Diemen returns to RKC 28 June 2001 Patrick van Diemen returns to play for RKC Waalwijk next season after a spell with Belgian side Anderlecht where he's not seen much action. The midfielder previously turned out for the Waalwijkers in 1997/98. First Intertoto matches - RKC Waalwijk  24 June 2001 RKC Waalwijk will play their first match of the competition in the 3rd round and it will take place at home on either July 14th or 15th with the return on July 21st. Their opponents will be the winner of the match between either the Scottish side Dundee or the Yugoslavian club FK Satrid against TSV 1860 München.  PSV and RKC agree price Lamey 15 June 2001 PSV and RKC have agreed the transfer fee for defender Michael Lamey. The 21 year-old right-back has still to talk terms with his new club but it should be a question of formality as he's already made clear his desire to play in Eindhoven. He will continue to play and ripen in Waalwijk next season in preparation for the move to the current Dutch champions. Iwan Redan stays in Waalwijk 10 June 2001 Despite interest from other clubs Iwan Redan has decided to extend his stay with RKC till July 2006 (his current contract runs out in 2003). The 20 year-old former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC striker has become an important player for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals in 24 appearances this season, as well as for Jong Oranje (he scored a hattrick for them in their recent match against Estonia).   RKC test amateur Mounim el Morabet 12 Nov 2001 RKC have offered a week's trial to amateur Mounim el Morabet who currently plays for SDC Putten. The 24 year-old striker, who also played for amateur sides Elinkwijk, Heerjansdam and GVVV, was pleasantly surprised by Martin Jol's invitation and is determined to do his best - it could be his last chance to get a prof contract. Robert Fuchs stays with PSV 10 Nov 2001 PSV have announced that Robert Fuchs will not be going on loan to RKC as was originally planned - the Eindhoven side have too many injured players and have decided to hold onto him. The 26 year-old (who has played for 8 years in the Ere Divisie, scoring 19 times) spent the 2nd half of last season on loan to De Graafschap and currently plays for PSV's reserve team. RBC interested in John van Loenhout 07 Nov 2001 RBC are said to be interested in RKC's John van Loenhout. The 24 year-old midfielder is without a regular place in the 1st team in Waalwijk and has played for the Roosendaalers before, between 1996 and 2000. RKC and Den Bosch draw 3 - 3 03 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Loenhout, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Den Bosch lineup: De Jong, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Peelen, Mourad, Michels, Deckers, Peys, Van den Eede and De Freitas. Peter Uneken put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute but Belgian striker Jochen Janssen (still not 100% fit) and Rogier Molhoek remedied matters with goals for the Waalwijkers in the 24th and 32nd minutes. Janssen got his 2nd of the evening in the 57th to take the score to 3 - 1. The Waalwijkers then proceded to let their handsome advantage slip out of their grasp and allowed the visitors to draw level, earning themselves a valuable point. Fred van der Hoorn scored for the 3 - 2 in the 70th and Mourad got the 3 - 3 in the 80th. RKC move for Den Haag's Van der Heijden 02 Nov 2001 RKC are interested in signing ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heijden at the end of the season - the Waalwijkers and the player are currently negotiating terms. The 19 year-old midfielder became a full prof last year and has played 8 matches, scoring once, for the Eerste Divisie side. PSV beat RKC 2 - 0 27 Oct 2001 PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Ooijer, Faber, Hofland, Heintze, John de Jong, Lucius, Bruggink, Bouma, Rommedahl and Vennegoor of Hesselink.  RKC lineup: Van Dijk, De Graef, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp.  This was the 3rd win in a row for PSV - Kezman and Vogel were left out to give John de Jong and Arnold Bruggink a chance to shine. Bruggink, in particular, didn't -  missing several chances in the 1st half before being replaced by Kezman after an hour's play. Dennis Rommedahl was the key player, first with a left footed shot for a goal in the 19th minute as well as setting up substitute Mateja Kezman, who slid it away for the 2nd goal in the 81st. Rick Hoogendorp had the best chance for the Waalwijkers before the break but, when only faced by goalie Lodewijks, he blasted well over the bar. The performance was not classic PSV but it will do for the time being and helps them to climb to 5th place while RKC are in 10th. RKC beat Emmen in 3rd Round Amstel Cup 24 Oct 2001 RKC have beaten Eerste Divisie side Emmen in the 3rd Round of the Amstel Cup, although it took a Rick Hoogendorp spot-shot to secure the win for the Waalwijkers. Emmen's trainer Hennie Spijkerman had decided that success in the league was more important than the Cup and had left Paul Weerman, Alfons Arts, Joseph Oosting and Jeffrey de Visscher out of the lineup so that they can get some rest before the coming Eerste Divisie match against Helmond. Willem II beat RKC 3 - 1 20 Oct 2001 Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, Jaliens, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijssen, Landzaat, Victoria, Caluwé, Ceesay, Bombarda and Abdellaoui. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Van Wanrooy, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Kolk, Franken and Hoogendorp. Willem II immediately put the Waalwijkers under pressure - Yassine Abdellaoui and Mariano Bombarda both had chances tothe score. A goal each in the dying seconds of the 1st half kept both teams level going into the break - Tom Caluwé slammed in the first for the "Tricolores" but a few seconds later Rick Hoogendorp equalized with a spectacular shot. RKC took over in the 2nd half and launched a series of attacks - Ceesay put away the 2nd for the home team in the 58th. Abdellaoui, Bombarda and Ceesay all lacked the necessary sharpness of vision to increase the score until Ceesay finally added a 3rd in the 90th.  Heerenveen hire Kolk to RKC 15 Oct 2001 Heerenveen have hired Santi Kolk to RKC for the rest of the season. The 20 year-old striker, who's in his 2nd season with Heerenveen but sees little action, has also managed to negotiate an option for the Waaalwijkers to buy him if he impresses. Ajax beat RKC 0 - 2 13 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Wanrooy, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Ajax lineup: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart, Wamberto, Machlas and Van der Meyde. Ajax have broken the Waalwijkers unbeaten home record (their last defeat in the Mandemakers stadium was 18 months ago by Heerenveen) and strengthened their top-of-the-table position with another win. Rafael van der Vaart missed a nice chance (it slid just wide) in the first minute as the Amsterdammers surprised the home side with the ferocity of theirng attacks. Machlas had another good attempt saved and Van der Vaart had one cleared off the line before he curled one in, and over, the head of Van Dijk tothe score in the 13th (his 7th in 8 matches) and could have added more if he'd been a bit sharper/luckier. Ajax let things slip after ther and RKC had the opportunity to get back into the match but, even though they played a better 2nd half, they only really threatened Fred Grim twice in the whole match. Mitchell Pique came on in the 89th and added a 2nd with practically his first touch, from a Trabelsi pass, to give the Amsterdammers another 3 points. RKC beat De Graafschap 2 - 0 09 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Janssen and Hoogendorp. De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Berck Beelenkamp, Vreman, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van Leerdam, Van den Brom, Turpijn, Schulp and Van Vossen. A poor clearance by Rick Postma gave Rick Hoogendorp the chance to put the Waalwijkers in the lead after 5 minutes. Apart from a Dennis Schulp shot which hit the bar, the "SuperBoeren" had little to contribute in this match. RKC's professional performance was crowned with a 2nd Hoogendorp goal to seal the points nine minutes from time and they move into 4th place. Utrecht beat RKC 2 - 1 30 Sept 2001 FC Utrecht: Wapenaar, Vreven, Touzani, Zwaanswijk, Bosschaart, Tanghe, Jean-Paul de Jong, Arts, van den Bergh, Kuyt and Gluscevic. RKC Waalwijk: Van Dijk, Teixeira, Lamey, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Utrecht remain unbeaten at home in their Galgenwaard stadium - this was their 4th win in a row. They were clearly showing signs of tiredness after their UEFA Cup match against Grazer in Austria, and their fatigue grew visibly the longer the match went on. Nonetheless, Igor Gluscevic put them ahead in the 32nd, Van Diemen equalizing for the Waalwijkers in the 58th minute and Stefan Tanghe got the match-winner for the Domstad team in the 78th.  RKC beat Fortuna 1 - 0 22 Sept 2001 RKC lineup: Rob van Dijk, Patrick van Diemen, David Nascimento (replaced in 50th by Virgillio Teixeira), Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Rogier Molhoek (replaced in 46th by Fabian Peppinck), Zeljko Petrovic, Dejan Govedarica, Joeri Cornelisse, Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen (replaced in 76th by Giovanni Franken). Fortuna lineup: Ruud Hesp, Fritz Emeran, Jochem van der Hoeven, René van Dieren, Edwin Hermans, Marco Heering, Misha Rook, Pascal Averdijk, Dennis Gerritsen (replaced in 46th by Stijn Haeldermans), Ronald Hamming, Colin Cramb (replaced in 77th by Meszaros). The score was the most exciting thing about this match but it needed a penalty to get one on the board. Fortuna are already starting to look like they'll have to fight to prevent relegation  this season while the Waalwijkers had a poor start to the season until their 3 - 0 against Groningen. Despite an attacking lineup with Colin Cramb, Ronald Hamming, Pascal Averdijk and Marco Heering, Fortuna showed little more than their intentions to score. RKC were equally uninspired and both teams excelled in poor passing. Colin Cramb had the best shot of the 1st half which goalie Rob van Dijk managed to tip onto the bar.  The 2nd half was equally poor entertainment and it took Rick Hoogendorp's spot-shot in the 63rd minute (when there was some pulling of Virgillio Teixeira's shirt) to give the Waalwijkers the points. RKC want Tzetkov 17 Sept 2001 RKC are planning to make Heerenveen an offer for Ivan Tzetkov who they see as a replacement for Joey Gudjonsson, the young Icelandic player who recently moved to Real Betis Sevilla. The 22 yeard-old Bulgarian striker has made few appearances in the last 3 seasons since joining Heerenveen in 1997 but has done better with Eerste Divisie Veendam. He was the club's top scorer last season with 18 goals to his name and has already put 5 away this season.  Gudjonsson signs for Real Betis Sevilla 12 Sept 2001 RKC's Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjonsson has signed a contract for 6 years with Spanish side Real Betis Sevilla. The 21 year-old joined the Waalwijkers in the summer of 2000 from Eerste Divisie side MVV and has impressed with the quality of his passing and tactical insight. RKC's Martin Brands expects that the deal will be finalised soon but is cautious about signing a replacement after the problems the club had with the loan of Rick Hoogendorp to Celta de Figo last year. Gudjonsson was also doubtful about the move and only signed when he received a guarantee that he would get to see regular action for his new club. It's not clear how much the fee will be but it is expected to be a new club record, breaking the previous €3.18 milion PSV paid for Michael Lamey. Sparta and RKC in goalless draw 09 Sept 2001 Sparta took a 5 - 0 hammering in the Kuip in theirr of the season, corrected themselves with a nice 3 - 1 against Utrecht but went down 3 - 0 at AZ. RKC started with two away defeats, 1 - 0 at Twente and NEC, but had an encouraging 4 - 0 home win against Groningen.  Sparta lined-up: Kooiman, Mendes, Goossen, Winter, van der Meer, Bouchiba, Inia, Zijm, Nielsen, Boukhari and Blinker. RKC lined-up: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, van den Berg, van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Petrovic, van Diemen, Gudjonsson, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Highlight of this match was David Mendes da Silva's sending off in the 37th minute which led to howls of protest from the home team but it was clearly a foul on Cornelisse. The Waalwijkers managed to look better than their opponents during the rest of the match but failed to benefit from their advantage in numbers (Kooiman was pulling off some great saves) and missed out on a handy 3 away points to take home. Instead there were only yellow cards to add to the statistics (4 for Sparta, 1 for RKC). The whistle didn't come a moment too soon. Petrov on loan to Den Haag 05 Sept 2001 RKC are lending 27 year-old Russian Youri Petrov to ADO Den Haag for the rest of this season. The former Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, RKC and FC Twente striker is in his 4th season for the Waalwijkers and his contract runs till 2003. RKC beat Groningen 4 - 0 26 Aug 2001 RKC will be pleased that they've won this one - they've made a bad start to the season but, after today's convincing rout of Groningen, seem to be back in touch with their distinctive formula. The Northerners were a pale shadow of the team that started the season by holding PSV to a 2 - 2 draw, looking sluggish, as if the heat was sapping the energy out of their legs and spent much of the match chasing after the Waalwijkers who could pretty much go and do as they pleased! Johan Gudjonsson gave them the first goal in the 12th minute and added a 2nd from the spot in the 32nd. Another penalty in the 39th was put away by Rick Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse made it 4 - 0 in the 44th. After the break the home team also started to suffer from the blazing heat while Groningen remained their aimless selves - they can be grateful that Cornelisse (twice), John van Loenhout and substitutes Abdeslam Assouiki (post) and Dejan Govedarica were all off target - the final score could have been much worse!  RKC test Real youngster 21 Aug 2001 RKC are testing Belgian midfielder Kevin Franck this week  - the 19 year-old currently plays for Real Madrid's reserves. The Waalwijkers are not actually in the market for a midfielder, says general manager Marcel Brandts, but it's always worth taking a look at an up-and-coming talent.  Twente beat RKC 1 - 0 18 Aug 2001 The first goal of the new Dutch Ere Divisie season took just 7-and-a-bit minutes to be scored - Arjan van der Laan was the happy man and a practically full stadium with 13,350 fans witnessed the ball disappearing into the back of the net. It was the only goal of the match but was enough to give the "Tukkers" their first 3 home points of 2001/2002. The home team had looked rather ineffective against PSV in the Super Cup match last Sunday but started this match in more convincing style. The Waalwijkers, however, showed that they were seriously weakened by the absence of Patrick van Diemen (suspended), Zeljko Petrovic and Dejan Goveradica. A one-two with Chris de Witte gave the Twente captain the opportunity to put his side ahead in the 8th and they could have increased the number-on-the-board only Scott Booth, himself hit too many missers tonight. The visitors didn't do any better and only bothered Sander Boschker once in 90 minutes. Ellery Cairo was brought on for De Witte but that too didn't change the final score. Twente go top but not for long methinks! RKC lose friendly 10 Aug 2001 RKC lost their friendly against South Korea 0 - 1. Despite the absence of several imprtant players the Waalwijkers did well to hold their own but had to admit defeat at the hands (feet?) of the Koreans who won with a 1st half goal by Perugia's Jung Hwan Ahn. Redan misses next season? 01 Aug 2001 It looks as though Iwan Redan could miss most, or even all, of next season after exploratory surgery revealed that the RKC striker has torn ligaments in his right knee. It is not the first time the former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC Roosendaal player has been out of action for a long time with a knee injury. In 1997, while playing for Vitesse, he tore ligaments in his left knee which kept him on the injured list for 7 months. The 20 year-old made his professional debut on March 5th 2000 for, the then, First Division RBC Roosendaal, scoring his first goal in his first match against Excelsior (they lost 4-2). He recently scored 3 goals as substitute for "Jong Oranje" against Estland on June 1st (they won 0-5). RKC's Iwan Redan injured 30 July 2001 RKC will be missing Iwan Redan for the start of the season. The 20 year-old striker has injured his knee in training and will have to go into hospital for exploratory surgery to see what the extent of the damage is. He made his Ere Divisie debut for RBC Roosendaal in 2 seasons ago and has played 24 matches for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals. RKC knocked out of Intertoto 22 July 2001 RKC are out of the Intertoto tournament after a 3 - 1 defeat in Germany by 1860 München. The German side proved once again, after beating the Waalwijkers 1 - 2 in Holland, that they are the stronger side - Michael Wiesingerd the score for them, and it was only the good work done by RKC's alert goalie Rob Van Dijk that prevented more 1st half damage being done. They were fortunate that John van Loenhout pulled them level before halftime with their first real chance of the match. After the break they managed to hold onto till the 78th minute before veteran Thomas Häßler showed how dangerous he is with his freekicks to make it 2 - 1 and, in ijury time, Martin Max got took the final score to 3 - 1. RKC lose to 1860 München 1 - 2 15 July 2001 RKC have lost the 1st leg of their Intertoto 3rd round meeting with 1860 München  1 - 2. The German side lived up to their reputation for being a strong team, they are also a bit further than the Dutch club with their preparations for next season, and it showed on pitch. They looked the better team throughout the match even though Peter van den Berg put the Waalwijkers ahead in the 18th minute. Thomas Hässler equalized just before halftime from a freekick and Martin Max added a 2nd in the 72nd minute, just as the home team had been starting to make more of an impression. It will be very tough going for RKC to pull a win out of the bag in Germany but we wish them luck! RKC - 1860 München  3rd round Intertoto 08 July 2001 It's been announced that RKC's opponents in the 3rd round of the Intertoto tournament will be 1860 München. RKC sign Jochen Janssen 07 July 2001 RKC have added Jochen Janssen to their squad on a contract for 5 years. The 25 year-old striker comes from Austria Wien and played earlier for Club Brugge and Westerloo. Although the Belgian player still officially has to pass his medical he was already present for training today. He's the latest addition to the Waalwijkers' lineup after the signing of Patrick van Diemen and Rogier Molhoek. Patrick van Diemen returns to RKC 28 June 2001 Patrick van Diemen returns to play for RKC Waalwijk next season after a spell with Belgian side Anderlecht where he's not seen much action. The midfielder previously turned out for the Waalwijkers in 1997/98. First Intertoto matches - RKC Waalwijk  24 June 2001 RKC Waalwijk will play their first match of the competition in the 3rd round and it will take place at home on either July 14th or 15th with the return on July 21st. Their opponents will be the winner of the match between either the Scottish side Dundee or the Yugoslavian club FK Satrid against TSV 1860 München.  PSV and RKC agree price Lamey 15 June 2001 PSV and RKC have agreed the transfer fee for defender Michael Lamey. The 21 year-old right-back has still to talk terms with his new club but it should be a question of formality as he's already made clear his desire to play in Eindhoven. He will continue to play and ripen in Waalwijk next season in preparation for the move to the current Dutch champions. Iwan Redan stays in Waalwijk 10 June 2001 Despite interest from other clubs Iwan Redan has decided to extend his stay with RKC till July 2006 (his current contract runs out in 2003). The 20 year-old former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC striker has become an important player for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals in 24 appearances this season, as well as for Jong Oranje (he scored a hattrick for them in their recent match against Estonia).   RKC test amateur Mounim el Morabet 12 Nov 2001 RKC have offered a week's trial to amateur Mounim el Morabet who currently plays for SDC Putten. The 24 year-old striker, who also played for amateur sides Elinkwijk, Heerjansdam and GVVV, was pleasantly surprised by Martin Jol's invitation and is determined to do his best - it could be his last chance to get a prof contract. Robert Fuchs stays with PSV 10 Nov 2001 PSV have announced that Robert Fuchs will not be going on loan to RKC as was originally planned - the Eindhoven side have too many injured players and have decided to hold onto him. The 26 year-old (who has played for 8 years in the Ere Divisie, scoring 19 times) spent the 2nd half of last season on loan to De Graafschap and currently plays for PSV's reserve team. RBC interested in John van Loenhout 07 Nov 2001 RBC are said to be interested in RKC's John van Loenhout. The 24 year-old midfielder is without a regular place in the 1st team in Waalwijk and has played for the Roosendaalers before, between 1996 and 2000. RKC and Den Bosch draw 3 - 3 03 Nov 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Loenhout, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Den Bosch lineup: De Jong, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Peelen, Mourad, Michels, Deckers, Peys, Van den Eede and De Freitas. Peter Uneken put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute but Belgian striker Jochen Janssen (still not 100% fit) and Rogier Molhoek remedied matters with goals for the Waalwijkers in the 24th and 32nd minutes. Janssen got his 2nd of the evening in the 57th to take the score to 3 - 1. The Waalwijkers then proceded to let their handsome advantage slip out of their grasp and allowed the visitors to draw level, earning themselves a valuable point. Fred van der Hoorn scored for the 3 - 2 in the 70th and Mourad got the 3 - 3 in the 80th. RKC move for Den Haag's Van der Heijden 02 Nov 2001 RKC are interested in signing ADO Den Haag's Michael van der Heijden at the end of the season - the Waalwijkers and the player are currently negotiating terms. The 19 year-old midfielder became a full prof last year and has played 8 matches, scoring once, for the Eerste Divisie side. PSV beat RKC 2 - 0 27 Oct 2001 PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Ooijer, Faber, Hofland, Heintze, John de Jong, Lucius, Bruggink, Bouma, Rommedahl and Vennegoor of Hesselink.  RKC lineup: Van Dijk, De Graef, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Yuri Cornelisse, Van Wanrooy, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Molhoek, Janssen and Hoogendorp.  This was the 3rd win in a row for PSV - Kezman and Vogel were left out to give John de Jong and Arnold Bruggink a chance to shine. Bruggink, in particular, didn't -  missing several chances in the 1st half before being replaced by Kezman after an hour's play. Dennis Rommedahl was the key player, first with a left footed shot for a goal in the 19th minute as well as setting up substitute Mateja Kezman, who slid it away for the 2nd goal in the 81st. Rick Hoogendorp had the best chance for the Waalwijkers before the break but, when only faced by goalie Lodewijks, he blasted well over the bar. The performance was not classic PSV but it will do for the time being and helps them to climb to 5th place while RKC are in 10th. RKC beat Emmen in 3rd Round Amstel Cup 24 Oct 2001 RKC have beaten Eerste Divisie side Emmen in the 3rd Round of the Amstel Cup, although it took a Rick Hoogendorp spot-shot to secure the win for the Waalwijkers. Emmen's trainer Hennie Spijkerman had decided that success in the league was more important than the Cup and had left Paul Weerman, Alfons Arts, Joseph Oosting and Jeffrey de Visscher out of the lineup so that they can get some rest before the coming Eerste Divisie match against Helmond. Willem II beat RKC 3 - 1 20 Oct 2001 Willem II lineup: De Vlieger, Jaliens, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijssen, Landzaat, Victoria, Caluwé, Ceesay, Bombarda and Abdellaoui. RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Diemen, Van den Berg, Nascimento, Van Wanrooy, De Graef, Petrovic, Govedarica, Kolk, Franken and Hoogendorp. Willem II immediately put the Waalwijkers under pressure - Yassine Abdellaoui and Mariano Bombarda both had chances tothe score. A goal each in the dying seconds of the 1st half kept both teams level going into the break - Tom Caluwé slammed in the first for the "Tricolores" but a few seconds later Rick Hoogendorp equalized with a spectacular shot. RKC took over in the 2nd half and launched a series of attacks - Ceesay put away the 2nd for the home team in the 58th. Abdellaoui, Bombarda and Ceesay all lacked the necessary sharpness of vision to increase the score until Ceesay finally added a 3rd in the 90th.  Heerenveen hire Kolk to RKC 15 Oct 2001 Heerenveen have hired Santi Kolk to RKC for the rest of the season. The 20 year-old striker, who's in his 2nd season with Heerenveen but sees little action, has also managed to negotiate an option for the Waaalwijkers to buy him if he impresses. Ajax beat RKC 0 - 2 13 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Van Wanrooy, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Ajax lineup: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart, Wamberto, Machlas and Van der Meyde. Ajax have broken the Waalwijkers unbeaten home record (their last defeat in the Mandemakers stadium was 18 months ago by Heerenveen) and strengthened their top-of-the-table position with another win. Rafael van der Vaart missed a nice chance (it slid just wide) in the first minute as the Amsterdammers surprised the home side with the ferocity of theirng attacks. Machlas had another good attempt saved and Van der Vaart had one cleared off the line before he curled one in, and over, the head of Van Dijk tothe score in the 13th (his 7th in 8 matches) and could have added more if he'd been a bit sharper/luckier. Ajax let things slip after ther and RKC had the opportunity to get back into the match but, even though they played a better 2nd half, they only really threatened Fred Grim twice in the whole match. Mitchell Pique came on in the 89th and added a 2nd with practically his first touch, from a Trabelsi pass, to give the Amsterdammers another 3 points. RKC beat De Graafschap 2 - 0 09 Oct 2001 RKC lineup: Van Dijk, Lamey, Van den Berg, Nascimento, De Graef, Van Diemen, Petrovic, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy, Janssen and Hoogendorp. De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Berck Beelenkamp, Vreman, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van Leerdam, Van den Brom, Turpijn, Schulp and Van Vossen. A poor clearance by Rick Postma gave Rick Hoogendorp the chance to put the Waalwijkers in the lead after 5 minutes. Apart from a Dennis Schulp shot which hit the bar, the "SuperBoeren" had little to contribute in this match. RKC's professional performance was crowned with a 2nd Hoogendorp goal to seal the points nine minutes from time and they move into 4th place. Utrecht beat RKC 2 - 1 30 Sept 2001 FC Utrecht: Wapenaar, Vreven, Touzani, Zwaanswijk, Bosschaart, Tanghe, Jean-Paul de Jong, Arts, van den Bergh, Kuyt and Gluscevic. RKC Waalwijk: Van Dijk, Teixeira, Lamey, Van den Berg, De Graef, Petrovic, Van Diemen, Govedarica, Yuri Cornelisse, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Utrecht remain unbeaten at home in their Galgenwaard stadium - this was their 4th win in a row. They RKC beat Fortuna 1 - 0 22 Sept 2001 RKC lineup: Rob van Dijk, Patrick van Diemen, David Nascimento (replaced in 50th by Virgillio Teixeira), Peter van den Berg, Garry de Graef, Rogier Molhoek (replaced in 46th by Fabian Peppinck), Zeljko Petrovic, Dejan Govedarica, Joeri Cornelisse, Rick Hoogendorp, Jochen Janssen (replaced in 76th by Giovanni Franken). Fortuna lineup: Ruud Hesp, Fritz Emeran, Jochem van der Hoeven, René van Dieren, Edwin Hermans, Marco Heering, Misha Rook, Pascal Averdijk, Dennis Gerritsen (replaced in 46th by Stijn Haeldermans), Ronald Hamming, Colin Cramb (replaced in 77th by Meszaros). The score was the most exciting thing about this match but it needed a penalty to get one on the board. Fortuna are already starting to look like they'll have to fight to prevent relegation  this season while the Waalwijkers had a poor start to the season until their 3 - 0 against Groningen. Despite an attacking lineup with Colin Cramb, Ronald Hamming, Pascal Averdijk and Marco Heering, Fortuna showed little more than their intentions to score. RKC were equally uninspired and both teams excelled in poor passing. Colin Cramb had the best shot of the 1st half which goalie Rob van Dijk managed to tip onto the bar.  The 2nd half was equally poor entertainment and it took Rick Hoogendorp's spot-shot in the 63rd minute (when there was some pulling of Virgillio Teixeira's shirt) to give the Waalwijkers the points. RKC want Tzetkov 17 Sept 2001 RKC are planning to make Heerenveen an offer for Ivan Tzetkov who they see as a replacement for Joey Gudjonsson, the young Icelandic player who recently moved to Real Betis Sevilla. The 22 yeard-old Bulgarian striker has made few appearances in the last 3 seasons since joining Heerenveen in 1997 but has done better with Eerste Divisie Veendam. He was the club's top scorer last season with 18 goals to his name and has already put 5 away this season.  Gudjonsson signs for Real Betis Sevilla 12 Sept 2001 RKC's Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjonsson has signed a contract for 6 years with Spanish side Real Betis Sevilla. The 21 year-old joined the Waalwijkers in the summer of 2000 from Eerste Divisie side MVV and has impressed with the quality of his passing and tactical insight. RKC's Martin Brands expects that the deal will be finalised soon but is cautious about signing a replacement after the problems the club had with the loan of Rick Hoogendorp to Celta de Figo last year. Gudjonsson was also doubtful about the move and only signed when he received a guarantee that he would get to see regular action for his new club. It's not clear how much the fee will be but it is expected to be a new club record, breaking the previous €3.18 milion PSV paid for Michael Lamey. Sparta and RKC in goalless draw 09 Sept 2001 Sparta took a 5 - 0 hammering in the Kuip in theirr of the season, corrected themselves with a nice 3 - 1 against Utrecht but went down 3 - 0 at AZ. RKC started with two away defeats, 1 - 0 at Twente and NEC, but had an encouraging 4 - 0 home win against Groningen.  Sparta lined-up: Kooiman, Mendes, Goossen, Winter, van der Meer, Bouchiba, Inia, Zijm, Nielsen, Boukhari and Blinker. RKC lined-up: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, van den Berg, van Wanrooy, Yuri Cornelisse, Petrovic, van Diemen, Gudjonsson, Janssen and Hoogendorp. Highlight of this match was David Mendes da Silva's sending off in the 37th minute which led to howls of protest from the home team but it was clearly a foul on Cornelisse. The Waalwijkers managed to look better than their opponents during the rest of the match but failed to benefit from their advantage in numbers (Kooiman was pulling off some great saves) and missed out on a handy 3 away points to take home. Instead there were only yellow cards to add to the statistics (4 for Sparta, 1 for RKC). The whistle didn't come a moment too soon. Petrov on loan to Den Haag 05 Sept 2001 RKC are lending 27 year-old Russian Youri Petrov to ADO Den Haag for the rest of this season. The former Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, RKC and FC Twente striker is in his 4th season for the Waalwijkers and his contract runs till 2003. RKC beat Groningen 4 - 0 26 Aug 2001 RKC will be pleased that they've won this one - they've made a bad start to the season but, after today's convincing rout of Groningen, seem to be back in touch with their distinctive formula. The Northerners were a pale shadow of the team that started the season by holding PSV to a 2 - 2 draw, looking sluggish, as if the heat was sapping the energy out of their legs and spent much of the match chasing after the Waalwijkers who could pretty much go and do as they pleased! Johan Gudjonsson gave them the first goal in the 12th minute and added a 2nd from the spot in the 32nd. Another penalty in the 39th was put away by Rick Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse made it 4 - 0 in the 44th. After the break the home team also started to suffer from the blazing heat while Groningen remained their aimless selves - they can be grateful that Cornelisse (twice), John van Loenhout and substitutes Abdeslam Assouiki (post) and Dejan Govedarica were all off target - the final score could have been much worse!  RKC test Real youngster 21 Aug 2001 RKC are testing Belgian midfielder Kevin Franck this week  - the 19 year-old currently plays for Real Madrid's reserves. The Waalwijkers are not actually in the market for a midfielder, says general manager Marcel Brandts, but it's always worth taking a look at an up-and-coming talent.  Twente beat RKC 1 - 0 18 Aug 2001 The first goal of the new Dutch Ere Divisie season took just 7-and-a-bit minutes to be scored - Arjan van der Laan was the happy man and a practically full stadium with 13,350 fans witnessed the ball disappearing into the back of the net. It was the only goal of the match but was enough to give the "Tukkers" their first 3 home points of 2001/2002. The home team had looked rather ineffective against PSV in the Super Cup match last Sunday but started this match in more convincing style. The Waalwijkers, however, showed that they were seriously weakened by the absence of Patrick van Diemen (suspended), Zeljko Petrovic and Dejan Goveradica. A one-two with Chris de Witte gave the Twente captain the opportunity to put his side ahead in the 8th and they could have increased the number-on-the-board only Scott Booth, himself hit too many missers tonight. The visitors didn't do any better and only bothered Sander Boschker once in 90 minutes. Ellery Cairo was brought on for De Witte but that too didn't change the final score. Twente go top but not for long methinks! RKC lose friendly 10 Aug 2001 RKC lost their friendly against South Korea 0 - 1. Despite the absence of several imprtant players the Waalwijkers did well to hold their own but had to admit defeat at the hands (feet?) of the Koreans who won with a 1st half goal by Perugia's Jung Hwan Ahn. Redan misses next season? 01 Aug 2001 It looks as though Iwan Redan could miss most, or even all, of next season after exploratory surgery revealed that the RKC striker has torn ligaments in his right knee. It is not the first time the former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC Roosendaal player has been out of action for a long time with a knee injury. In 1997, while playing for Vitesse, he tore ligaments in his left knee which kept him on the injured list for 7 months. The 20 year-old made his professional debut on March 5th 2000 for, the then, First Division RBC Roosendaal, scoring his first goal in his first match against Excelsior (they lost 4-2). He recently scored 3 goals as substitute for "Jong Oranje" against Estland on June 1st (they won 0-5). RKC's Iwan Redan injured 30 July 2001 RKC will be missing Iwan Redan for the start of the season. The 20 year-old striker has injured his knee in training and will have to go into hospital for exploratory surgery to see what the extent of the damage is. He made his Ere Divisie debut for RBC Roosendaal in 2 seasons ago and has played 24 matches for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals. RKC knocked out of Intertoto 22 July 2001 RKC are out of the Intertoto tournament after a 3 - 1 defeat in Germany by 1860 München. The German side proved once again, after beating the Waalwijkers 1 - 2 in Holland, that they are the stronger side - Michael Wiesingerd the score for them, and it was only the good work done by RKC's alert goalie Rob Van Dijk that prevented more 1st half damage being done. They were fortunate that John van Loenhout pulled them level before halftime with their first real chance of the match. After the break they managed to hold onto till the 78th minute before veteran Thomas Häßler showed how dangerous he is with his freekicks to make it 2 - 1 and, in ijury time, Martin Max got took the final score to 3 - 1. RKC lose to 1860 München 1 - 2 15 July 2001 RKC have lost the 1st leg of their Intertoto 3rd round meeting with 1860 München  1 - 2. The German side lived up to their reputation for being a strong team, they are also a bit further than the Dutch club with their preparations for next season, and it showed on pitch. They looked the better team throughout the match even though Peter van den Berg put the Waalwijkers ahead in the 18th minute. Thomas Hässler equalized just before halftime from a freekick and Martin Max added a 2nd in the 72nd minute, just as the home team had been starting to make more of an impression. It will be very tough going for RKC to pull a win out of the bag in Germany but we wish them luck! RKC - 1860 München  3rd round Intertoto 08 July 2001 It's been announced that RKC's opponents in the 3rd round of the Intertoto tournament will be 1860 München. RKC sign Jochen Janssen 07 July 2001 RKC have added Jochen Janssen to their squad on a contract for 5 years. The 25 year-old striker comes from Austria Wien and played earlier for Club Brugge and Westerloo. Although the Belgian player still officially has to pass his medical he was already present for training today. He's the latest addition to the Waalwijkers' lineup after the signing of Patrick van Diemen and Rogier Molhoek. Patrick van Diemen returns to RKC 28 June 2001 Patrick van Diemen returns to play for RKC Waalwijk next season after a spell with Belgian side Anderlecht where he's not seen much action. The midfielder previously turned out for the Waalwijkers in 1997/98. First Intertoto matches - RKC Waalwijk  24 June 2001 RKC Waalwijk will play their first match of the competition in the 3rd round and it will take place at home on either July 14th or 15th with the return on July 21st. Their opponents will be the winner of the match between either the Scottish side Dundee or the Yugoslavian club FK Satrid against TSV 1860 München.  PSV and RKC agree price Lamey 15 June 2001 PSV and RKC have agreed the transfer fee for defender Michael Lamey. The 21 year-old right-back has still to talk terms with his new club but it should be a question of formality as he's already made clear his desire to play in Eindhoven. He will continue to play and ripen in Waalwijk next season in preparation for the move to the current Dutch champions. Iwan Redan stays in Waalwijk 10 June 2001 Despite interest from other clubs Iwan Redan has decided to extend his stay with RKC till July 2006 (his current contract runs out in 2003). The 20 year-old former Vitesse 2, Sparta 2 and RBC striker has become an important player for the Waalwijkers last season, scoring 5 goals in 24 appearances this season, as well as for Jong Oranje (he scored a hattrick for them in their recent match against Estonia).   Club Pages 2001/2002 Ajax AZ Den Bosch Feyenoord Fortuna Graafschap Groningen Heerenveen NAC NEC PSV RKC Roda JC Sparta Twente Utrecht Vitesse Willem II Cambuur Den Haag Dordrecht Eindhoven Emmen Excelsior G.A. 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