In the previous matchday programme against RKC Waalwijk, we documented a shocking statistical anomaly: FC Groningen had collected four red cards in just six matches. If fans thought manager Erwin van de Looi had fixed the disciplinary crisis, page 5 of the October 6, 2013 edition provided a grim update. The red epidemic was still raging.
In his “De Warming Up” column, Van de Looi addresses a heavy away defeat to FC Twente the previous weekend. But the tactical breakdown is overshadowed by a recurring nightmare. “In the fifth away match, FC Groningen received its fifth red card,” the manager writes with palpable frustration. This time, the culprit was defender Johan Kappelhof, who was sent to the dressing room just before halftime. Van de Looi attempts to defend his player, noting, “We had already stated that we must ensure this doesn’t happen to us more often. I must say that this situation was punished very heavily, which is evident from the fact that Kappelhof is suspended for only one duel.”
Despite the chaos on the road, Van de Looi leans heavily on the club’s home form, proudly titling his column “In eigen huis nog ongeslagen” (Still unbeaten at home). He also notes the turbulent situation of their opponents, AZ Alkmaar, who had just fired their manager Gertjan Verbeek. It paints a picture of a Groningen side that was wildly unpredictable—capable of beating anyone at the Euroborg, but constantly shooting themselves in the foot with disciplinary issues away from home.
A Look into the Future
The 2013/2014 season would go down as one of the most card-heavy campaigns in the club’s recent history, but they eventually learned to channel that aggression. Johan Kappelhof, the man sent off in Enschede, did not let this define him. He matured into one of the most reliable and intelligent defenders in the Eredivisie, eventually earning a highly successful transfer to the MLS to play for the Chicago Fire, where he became a defensive stalwart. Van de Looi’s desperate search for discipline eventually paid off, forging a hardened squad that would win the KNVB Cup the following year.