Willem II hold off late SBV Excelsior fightback to win 3-2

Willem II claimed a dramatic 3-2 win away at SBV Excelsior in the Eredivisie this evening.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead when Robbie Haemhouts caught the goalkeeper out with a long-range shot that flew into the back of the net.

Excelsior wasted a fine chance to draw level shortly after as Luigi Bruins pushed an effort wide of the post when he had only the keeper to beat from inside the box.

However, the home side did get back on level terms in the 56th minute as Bruins slipped the ball into the feet of Tom van Weert, who slid the ball calmly into the corner of the net.

The home side pushed forward in search of a second but they were hit with a killer blow when Ali Messaoud's cross was misjudged by the Excelsior defenders and travelled all the way into the corner of the net.

Ben Sahar looked to have killed off Excelsior in injury time when he converted a cross from the left, but Jeff Stans gave the home side late hope with a neat finish.

They failed to find an equaliser, though, and the points went to Willem.