Pair celebrate play-off success
Thursday, June 9, 2005
Article summary
Sparta Rotterdam have returned to the Eredivisie as RBC Roosendaal held on to their place in the Dutch top flight.
Article body
By Berend Scholten
Sparta Rotterdam have returned to the Eredivisie after a three-year absence, while RBC Roosendaal preserved their place in the top flight despite defeat in the sixth and final round of promotion/relegation play-off matches in the Netherlands.
Wau on target
Sparta went into the final fixtures with a three-point lead at the head of Group B, but travelled to nearest challengers Helmond Sport. The home side needed a win to keep their hopes alive, and duly took the lead a minute before the hour as Nyron Wau put Helmond Sport ahead.
Late turnaround
The advantage lasted until 15 minutes before the final whistle, when Helmond's promotion dreams were tempered by Riga Mustapha's volley from a corner. With Helmond forced to press forward, Sparta exploited the extra space to confirm the win, and their promotion, in the final minute, Rachid Bouaouzan rounding off a swift counterattack to spark Sparta celebrations.
Lengthy stay
The Rotterdam club, who will coached by Wiljan Vloet, currently in charge of Roda JC, next season, had been one of only four sides - the others are AFC Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven - who had played in the Eredivisie continuously since the competition was created in 1956, before their relegation in 2002.
Quickest goal
Elsewhere in the section, relegated De Graafschap won their final match 4-1 at FC Zwolle. Loïc Loval put the visitors in front after only eight seconds, scoring the joint-fastest goal in the history of Dutch professional football to equal the record set by Koos Waslander, who scored for NAC Breda on 17 March 1982 - also against Zwolle.
Venlo victory
Sparta will meet Roosendaal in the top flight next season, although the Group A winners lost 2-1 at VVV-Venlo tonight. Sammi Youssouf put the Eredivisie team in front in the ninth minute, but Luwamo Garcia levelled in the 77th minute and an Arno Arts penalty four minutes later gave Venlo victory.
Roosendaal relief
Roosendaal, who had a three-point lead at the beginning of the day, were therefore left hoping FC Volendam failed to win at home against Stormvogels/Telstar. Karim Bridji and Kees Kwakman twice put Volendam in front in the first half, only for Leon Kantelberg to equalise on each occasion. Kantelberg completed his hat-trick 19 minutes from time and, although Maarten Woudenberg replied six minutes later, a point was not enough.
