De Tukkers give up points against De Graafschap

By: Tucker | February 8th, 2009

Throughout much of the season Steve McClaren has attempted to squash talk of the “Tukkers” winning the championship and based upon the last week, he won’t need to mention it too often as they have squandered points. After last last Sunday’s disappointing draw to FC Utrecht they weakened their position in the table considerably with a 2-2 draw to table bottom dweller De Graafschap. The combined loss of four points have allowed Ajax and PSV to pull back within striking distance and AZ is so far off ahead of the table it would take a complete collapse their them not to win the championship.

Twente picked up where they left off in the mid week victory over NAC Breda and took the lead at the twenty-fourth minute when Austrian international Marko Arnautović cross was sent in by Blaise Kufo. However the relegation threatened side fought back instantly as Stijn Wuytens, on-loan from PSV, corner was headed in by Swiss international Stephan Keller. Twente went looking for the go-ahead with the Austrian’s drive hitting the cross bar seven minutes before the break. Level at the half the De Graafschap wasn’t about to back down and took the lead off the counter as Resit Schuurman, formerly of Twente sent a cross across the center of the box and Luuk de Jong headed it into the back of the net. Shy a goal Steve McClaren brought in Chiek Tiote and Romano Denneboom for Slobodan Rajkovic and Wout Brama respectively with sixteen minutes remaining. A bit of luck fell Twente’s way as with seventeen minutes remaining Luuk de Jong was adjudged for a hand ball, resulting in Blaise N’Kufo leveling from the spot. With the match even, it was far from over as De Graafschap came very close to finding the winner in the final moments but Sander Boschker saved the draw.