Heracles target first-period title against RKC Waalwijk
Vincent Heilmann says the Keuken Kampioen Divisie leaders are ahead of his expectations as they prepare for Friday’s home fixture.
Heracles Almelo will make another attempt to secure the Keuken Kampioen Divisie’s first-period title when they host RKC Waalwijk on Friday evening. The Almelo side had an opportunity to celebrate delayed by last week’s 2-2 draw at Helmond Sport and lead the standings with 22 points from nine matches.
Head coach Vincent Heilmann said the result at Helmond had not left his squad heavily disappointed. Heracles played much of that game with ten men following David Vicente Robles’ early red card, but Heilmann felt his players still covered more ground and controlled the football. He told the club’s official website that they would “normally have won comfortably” despite the numerical disadvantage.
The first-period prize is within reach in Heracles’ tenth league fixture, mirroring the timing of their success in 2022/23. They collected 25 points to win the period that season and later finished as champions on 85 points, ahead of PEC Zwolle on goal difference.
Heilmann stressed that direct promotion to the Eredivisie remains the main objective, while describing his team as more stable and further advanced than he had expected. Heracles will be without Vicente Robles against RKC and away to MVV the following week. The Spanish right-back received a three-match suspension, one of which is conditional.
Reported first by
- Heilmann: "We zijn stabieler dan ik vooraf had verwacht" - Heracles Almelo— Heracles Almelo Official
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