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View the summary of Sparta Rotterdam – NAC Breda
After four games without a win, Sparta Rotterdam has won again in the Premier League. The Spaniards were too strong for NAC Breda at home at Het Kasteel with 1-0. Shunsuke Mito became the match winner and after the break, goalkeeper Joël Drommel became a standout.
For mid-table Sparta, the victory was welcome after three defeats and a draw. NAC, number seventeen in the Premier League, got into further trouble due to the fourth defeat in a row.
Sparta coach Maurice Steijn served a suspension due to his red card last week and watched the match from the stands. He saw a strong Sparta in the opening phase with some immediate opportunities.
Oufkir misses opportunities
20-year-old Ayoni Santos, the (half) brother of PEC Zwolle midfielder Jamiro Monteiro, was in the starting line-up for the first time and immediately asserted himself as a central midfielder. After Santos was defeated, Ayoub Oufkir cut down his opponent and the right winger curled the ball onto the crossbar.
It was not the only chance in the opening fifteen minutes for Oufkir, who moved to AZ in January. On the rebound from a shot by Tobias Lauritsen, he shot at NAC defender Boy Kemper, who was on the line. Moments later, Oufkir shot over on a pass from Santos.
Unlucky Sparta striker Oufkir hits the crossbar against NAC
In the 26th minute Sparta finally scored. In a flowing attack, striker Lauritsen was crucial by cleverly letting the ball go, after which Shunsuke Mito was able to continue, let NAC defender Cherrion Valerius slide past him on the wet grass and finish in a controlled manner.
After that opening goal, Oufkir missed his fourth chance. It wasn’t his day, he shot wildly wide. A Sparta goal was disallowed due to a handball from Teo Quintero and the biggest chance for NAC was Raul Paula, who missed the goal.
Mito gives Sparta the lead against NAC after a flowing attack
After the break, NAC was the better team and there were more chances for the visitors. However, they were not for NAC. Substitutes Charles-Andreas Brym and Sydney van Hooijdonk also could not find the net in a hectic final.
Sparta keeper Drommel took the leading role with several saves. On the other hand, Sparta substitute Younes El Meftahi was close to making it 2-0, but keeper Daniel Bielica made the save and it remained exciting until the end.
