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Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen endured a near-death experience that forced the postponement of the club's Eredivisie match against Ajax
Ajax were forced to abandon a second consecutive match in the Eredivisie after their fixture against RKC Waalwijk was abruptly halted due to an injury to their opponent’s goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, who suffered a nasty head injury.
Ajax vs Waalwijk postponed after horrific injury
Ajax had already been forced into an abandoned and replayed fixture against reigning champions Feyenoord last game week after their fans caused chaos during De Klassieker and were faced with a similar challenge for a different reason against Waalwijk.
While they had to abandon the Feyenoord game while losing 3-0 at half-time, Ajax had to call time early against Waalwijk while in the lead, with just over five minutes of the match left.
The reason was Waalwijk’s goalkeeper, Vaessen, who suffered a nasty blow to the head following a collision with Ajax striker Brian Brobbey.
Vaessen had to be treated on the pitch to avoid aggravating his injury and required CPR before being taken off the pitch as the game neared its end.
Vaessen required extensive treatment on the pitch
The goalkeeper’s injury was severe enough to warrant players forming a screen to shield him from the cameras while he was receiving treatment, as they feared the worst.
Following the game, Waalwijk’s director Frank van Mosselveld told broadcaster NOS that Vaessen had recovered, although he was unable to properly identify his surroundings.
He said, "Etienne was knocked out for a while. Our medical staff started reanimation straightaway but it looks like it wasn't a problem with his heart. He was conscious again when he left the field but he did not know where he was."
Ajax were leading 3-2 heading into the final six minutes of the match when both sides agreed to abandon the fixture until a later date following Vaessen’s injury.
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