Sparta Rotterdam again failed to pass Ajax in the Eredivisie on Saturday. The team of trainer Maurice Steijn also played a draw against NEC (1-1) and therefore remains sixth. FC Emmen was unable to follow up the sensational victory over PSV on a visit to RKC Waalwijk: 2-0.
NEC dominated the game in their own Goffert stadium and failed to take the lead before half time. The crossbar got in the way of an own goal by Adil Auassar and Mikkel Duelund destroyed a great shooting opportunity just before the break.
After Dirk also missed Proper from close range just after the break, Sparta scored against all odds on the other side. Arno Verschueren headed in a corner kick from Vito van Crooij via the underside of the crossbar.
NEC did not get upset and received wages for work in the eightieth minute. Substitute Pedro Marques turned away from his opponent and worked the ball behind Sparta goalkeeper Nick Olij, who conceded a hit for the first time in four matches. In the last minute of stoppage time, he made a sublime save on a header from Landry Dimata.
Sparta thus misses a new opportunity to pass the wandering Ajax in the rankings. Four days ago, the team from Rotterdam played a 0-0 draw against RKC Waalwijk. Because Ajax did not get further than 1-1 against FC Volendam, the gap between the two clubs remained two points.
Ajax can put Sparta on four points on Sunday. The team from Amsterdam does this without trainer Alfred Schreuder, who was fired immediately after the duel with Volendam. John Heitinga will do the honors for the reigning national champion for the time being.
Stand bovenin Eredivisie
- 1. Feyenoord 18-41 (+27)
- 2. AZ 19-40 (+16)
- 3. PSV 19-38 (+24)
- 4. FC Twente 18-35 (+19)
- 5. Ajax 18-34 (+27)
- 6. Sparta Rotterdam 19-33 (+13)
Emmen cannot follow up PSV stunt
FC Emmen is back on earth after the sensational victory over PSV. Four days after the victory over De Oude Meerdijk, coach Dick Lukkien’s team lost 2-0 at RKC Waalwijk.
RKC had already reached the final score after half an hour in the Mandemakersstadion. Michiel Kramer opened the score in Waalwijk after just three minutes by nicely working in a cross from Mats Seuntjens with his heel.
FC Emmen could not do anything against that and in the 28th minute the 2-0 was awarded. Julian Lelieveld scored with a beautiful volley. For the defender, it was his first goal since October 10, 2021, when he was accurate against Almere City on behalf of De Graafschap.
RKC seemed to be heading for a victory so unthreatened, but a red card for Iliass Bel Hassani changed that after fifty minutes. The midfielder initially received a yellow card from referee Robin Hensgens after he had hit Mark Diemers badly from behind, but after a VAR intervention, the referee immediately turned red.
FC Emmen was also unable to make a fist against ten men, so Lukkien’s team will not distance itself from the relegation zone for the time being. The number fifteen in the Eredivisie is only two points above the relegation line, although competitors FC Volendam, SC Cambuur and FC Groningen will play on Sunday.
With the victory, RKC is taking a big step towards enforcement in the Eredivisie. The team of trainer Joseph Oosting occupies tenth place and has nine points more than number sixteen FC Volendam, which will play the relegation cracker against FC Groningen on Sunday at 2.30 pm.
Stand onderaan Eredivisie
14. Vitesse 19-19 (-12)
15. FC Emmen 19-15 (-19)
16. FC Volendam 18-13 (-24)
17. SC Cambuur 18-12 (-18)
18. FC Groningen 18-12 (-19)
