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The injury crisis that pitched Matt Miazga back into the Vitesse starting lineup is easing: senior center back Maikel van der Werff has been spotted working out at the training ground, and Arnold Kruiswijk is available for selection again - which means Miazga is no longer effectively head coach Henk Fraser's only tested option to partner captain Guram Kashia in the middle of the back line.
This is a busy week for Vitesse: a trip to Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, Dutch Cup semifinal in Rotterdam on Wednesday, and on the road again to play PEC Zwolle on Saturday. Three away games in seven days, and a potentially pivotal moment in the season for Vitesse, who had been losing ground in the Eredivisie table after back-to-back losses in the league.
For the opening match of his team's three-game week, Fraser stuck with Miazga as a starter in the middle of defense. Vitesse got off to a good start, and made even better progress in the second half.
’29 Goal #Vitesse !!!! 0-1 #gaevit @RvWolfswinkel9 pic.twitter.com/q1klJmH7hW
— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) February 26, 2017
’52 0-2 #Vitesse !!!! Doelpunt van Navarone Foor!! #gaevit pic.twitter.com/wQhpBSJXS2
— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) February 26, 2017
’80 Goal #Vitesse !!! 0-3 @milotrashica #gaevit pic.twitter.com/JhEQKkmAJL
— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) February 26, 2017
Go Ahead Eagles got a consolation goal as the game drew near its end.
The 3-1 win over a relegation candidate bounces Vitesse back up into the Eredivisie's top seven, and back into the cluster of teams chasing fourth-placed Utrecht (the top three - PSV, Ajax, and Feyenoord seem well clear of everyone except each other).
Miazga recently told de Gelderlander he was enjoying his time at Vitesse. The results earned this week will be important in determining whether Vitesse enjoys this season. So far, so good.