March 17, 2024 – 6:52 PM
Sparta Rotterdam was close to a win once morest Ajax this followingnoon. Thanks to goals from Arno Verschueren, the Kasteelheren were 2-0 ahead following an hour of play. Only in the final phase did Ajax come back to 2-2, which was also the final score.
Last week, Sparta lost 2-1 to FC Twente. Trainer Jeroen Rijsdijk did not have access to the trio Joshua Kitolano, Bart Vriends and Camiel Neghli in that match. This followingnoon the coach saw two players return, as Vriends and Neghli were once more part of the match selection. However, both players were not fit enough for a starting place. However, Rijsdijk did make one change. Metinho played in midfield, at the expense of Jonathan de Guzmán. Nick Olij therefore started the match as captain. In addition to Kitolano, Django Warmerdam was also missing this followingnoon.
Sparta chose not to go all out from minute one, but to let Ajax make the play. Nevertheless, the first opportunity was for the home team. Koki Saito made a nice move and neatly passed the ball. Arno Verschueren appeared at the second post, but the Belgian might not put enough power behind his attempt, allowing goalkeeper Diant Ramaj to make a simple save. One minute later Ajax also showed itself for the first time. Mika Godts passed the ball dangerously with Nick Olij out of position, but Sparta’s defense was attentive and prevented Ajax from attempting a goal. After just under ten minutes of play, the goal attempt came. Jordan Henderson put the ball ready on the head of Brian Brobbey, who headed narrowly wide from close range.
It was one of the few big chances that Sparta allowed in the first half. Although Ajax had the most ball possession and pushed Sparta back to its own half, this did not lead to many opportunities for the visitors. After just half an hour of play, Sparta was even close to the opening goal. Shunsuke Mito reached Verschueren in the penalty area, who was able to shoot with more conviction this time. However, Ramaj’s reflex was good, allowing him to prevent the 1-0. Two minutes later, however, the German goalie was beaten. This time Saito did the preparatory work, following which Verschueren was able to lash out. The midfielder placed the ball out of Ramaj’s reach in the far corner: 1-0. In the last fifteen minutes of the first half, Ajax tried once more in an attractive Kasteel and had two great chances. The first came from the foot of Anton Gaaei, but it was stylishly parried by Olij. Just before half time, Brobbey tried on a pass from Godts, but once more Sparta’s closing post turned out to be an obstacle.
As a result, Sparta held firm and took the lead once morest Ajax halfway through. The Rotterdam team had a dream start in the second half. After a short free kick, Pelle swung the ball in front of Clement. In the five-meter area, Verschueren suddenly appeared completely free, following which he signed his second from close range: 2-0! It gradually became Verschueren’s match, although Ajax tried to put a stop to that. Anton Gaaei, Chuba Akpom and Jorrel Hato tried with a number of goal attempts, but Olij was always in the way. The best opportunity was still for Brobbey, but he might not convert Kenneth Taylor’s sharp cross into a chance. The ball was just too hard for the striker to shoot in. However, following more than an hour of play, Ajax still scored. Henderson found the head of Akpom with a good cross, who headed it home: 2-1.
After that goal, there were new downers for Sparta. Mito might no longer continue, which meant the return of Camiel Neghli. Not much later, Rick Meissen was also left injured and was replaced by Tijs Velthuis. With fifteen minutes to go, Ajax continued the hunt for the equalizer. Brobbey and Branco van den Boomen had opportunities at 2-2, but did not see their efforts disappear between the posts. Sparta did not give away much more for a long time, but in the 88th minute the team from Amsterdam still came wide. Akpom passed the ball low, following which Steven Bergwijn slid in at the far post and put the 2-2 on the scoreboard.
In injury time, the only thing worth mentioning was the red card for Ahmetcan Kaplan. The defender was sent off following he brought down Charles-Andreas Brym, who had broken through. That didn’t change the score, so it ended 2-2 at Het Kasteel. There is an international break next week, which means Sparta will not play. On March 30, the lords of the castle will receive Fortuna Sittard.
Sparta Rotterdam line-up:
Nick Olij, Saïd Bakari, Rick Meissen (73. Tijs Velthuis), Mike Eerdhuijzen, Djevencio van der Kust, Metinho (81. Jonathan de Guzmán), Shunsuke Mito (68. Camiel Neghli), Pelle Clement (81. Hamza el Dahri) , Tobias Lauritsen (81. Charles-Andreas Brym), Arno Verschueren, Koki Saito
