Heracles claimed a 3-2 victory over Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie on Friday evening, extending their perfect start to the campaign. The hosts sit top of the table with five wins from five, while the visitors remain in eighth place after six matches.
Sem Scheperman opened the scoring in the sixth minute, though it took until the twentieth before Hessel de Wit equalised for the visitors. Tycho de Wit restored Heracles' lead just before the break, and Jean-Paul N'djoli extended it shortly after the interval. Scheperman added a second in the sixty-ninth minute to ground out the win.
And here's the thing about the statistics: Heracles controlled 63 per cent of possession yet created no big chances, while Jong AZ registered four shots on target with one conversion. The hosts registered eight shots on target against five saves, but the visitors made 42 clearances to Heracles' 14. By then it was clear who was in control of the tie.
Heracles have not dropped a point all season, winning their last five matches 5-0, 3-1, 6-1, 3-2 and 4-3 respectively. Jong AZ's recent form is less consistent, with a 6-3 victory over Dordrecht followed by three defeats in four games. The visitors have lost three of six, including 1-2 away to MVV Maastricht and 1-3 at home to Emmen.
The result leaves Heracles on 15 points with a game in hand on several sides. Jong AZ remain on nine points, level on points with teams above them but with a poorer goal difference. The hosts have nothing to prove at this stage of the season, while the visitors are still searching for consistency.
