Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Risky Business |
Match Report
There are a few clouds overhead here at Het Kasteel where Sparta Rotterdam play host to FC Groningen. A crowd of 17,516 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Sparta Rotterdam are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while FC Groningen appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Hugo Veloso.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Sparta Rotterdam are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while FC Groningen appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Hugo Veloso.
0.00
0-0FC Groningen kick off the first half!
2.58
0-0Gerhard Eder makes a probing pass to Patricio Rubio. Patricio Rubio sees David Konchesky in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. David Konchesky controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It's miles wide!
8.42
1-0Gerhard Eder decides to run forward with the ball. Gerhard Eder chips the ball to his team mate, Youssef Maas. Youssef Maas lofts in a cross ball towards Theo Van Eijk. Theo Van Eijk connects with a diving header. JŸrgen Van Bommel is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
16.22
1-0Alfred Kelban chips the ball to his team mate, Ugo Beckham. Ugo Beckham brings the ball forward. Ugo Beckham shoots from outside the area but it is tipped over by JŸrgen Van Bommel.
17.16
1-0Leon Braat takes the corner kick, swinging the ball in towards the near post. Youssef Maas muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal but it's drastically wayward!
20.45
Carlos Suarez makes a simple pass to Patricio Rubio. What a great partnership. Patricio Rubio advances with the ball. Patricio Rubio lofts in a cross ball towards David Konchesky. David Konchesky directs the ball goalwards with his head but couldn't keep it down. It goes high into the crowd!
21.28
Patricio Rubio runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Patricio Rubio edges inside the box! Patricio Rubio looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Patricio Rubio!
26.33
Mitchell Jansen kicks a strong pass forward to Marc Crooks. Marc Crooks lofts in a cross ball towards Rodrigo Barbosa. Rodrigo Barbosa is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Geoffrey Averdijk punches it away to safety.
27.48
2-0Mitchell Jansen flicks a high pass forward. Ferdi Besselink holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Ferdi Besselink knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Carlos Suarez.
32.41
Raouf Maurice flicks the ball to his team mate, Helder Semedo. Helder Semedo knocks in a cross ball towards Marc Crooks. Marc Crooks connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
33.23
David Konchesky threads a neat ball through to Ugo Beckham. Ugo Beckham sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it's well over the bar!
36.25
Rodrigo Barbosa makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jose Pirri. Jose Pirri lofts in a cross ball towards Ferdi Besselink. Ferdi Besselink knocks the ball goalwards with his head but it flies just off target!
39.26
Sergio Teixeira kicks a strong pass forward to Ferdi Besselink. Ferdi Besselink whips in a cross ball towards Marc Crooks. Marc Crooks finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head but it's a lousy effort!
42.17
2-0Gerhard Eder comes in with a late challenge on Marc Crooks. The referee calls over Gerhard Eder and warns him to calm down! Marc Crooks hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
44.23
2-0Mitchell Jansen hacks Theo Van Eijk from behind! The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Theo Van Eijk runs off the knock.
45.00
The referee whistles the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Sparta Rotterdam appear unchanged since the first half. FC Groningen also appear unchanged since the first half.
45.00
The second half starts with Sparta Rotterdam kicking off!
49.18
Patricio Rubio laces a weighted ball forward to Youssef Maas. Youssef Maas knocks in a cross ball towards Stefano Hamming. Stefano Hamming heads the ball goalwards but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
54.21
Gerhard Eder knocks the ball forward to Patricio Rubio. Patricio Rubio changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Patricio Rubio threads a neat, attacking ball through to Youssef Maas. Some silky footwork from Youssef Maas provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal. JŸrgen Van Bommel gathers the ball up comfortably. Good keeping!
59.02
Sergio Teixeira comes in with a late challenge on Youssef Maas. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Youssef Maas stretches but gets up unharmed.
60.46
Patricio Rubio flicks a high pass forward to Ugo Beckham who brings the ball under control. Ugo Beckham makes a simple pass, allowing Youssef Maas to run into the box. Youssef Maas side-steps and rifles a shot at goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
66.29
Rodrigo Barbosa sweeps the ball long. Helder Semedo knocks in a cross ball towards Ferdi Besselink. Ferdi Besselink makes a looping header on goal. The ball clips the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net!! Goal for FC Groningen!
72.21
Theo Van Eijk flicks a high pass forward. Stefano Hamming controls it well on his chest. Stefano Hamming knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
77.13
Patricio Rubio sees Stefano Hamming in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Stefano Hamming controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but he balloons it over the crossbar!
79.32
Mitchell Jansen runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Mitchell Jansen knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
81.16
Rodrigo Barbosa knocks the ball forward to Ferdi Besselink. Ferdi Besselink knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
83.39
Ugo Beckham flicks the ball to his team mate, Youssef Maas. Youssef Maas plays a one-two with Stefano Hamming and rushes in on goal... Youssef Maas muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. JŸrgen Van Bommel is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
87.07
Ugo Beckham hacks Jose Pirri from behind! The referee calls over Ugo Beckham and warns him to calm down! Jose Pirri hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
4
1
Shots on Target
6
2
Shots off Target
6
3
Offsides
2
0
Fouls
2
2
Yellow Cards
0
2
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
65.1%
34.9%
Play Area
30.1%
43.4%
26.5%
Scorers
| Theo Van Eijk 8 Patricio Rubio 21 Youssef Maas 60, 83 | Ferdi Besselink 66 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Youssef Maas of Sparta Rotterdam |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Geoffrey Averdijk (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Carlos Suarez (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Gerhard Eder (DEF) | 7 | |
| 4. | Alfred Kelban (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Theo Van Eijk (MID) |  | 7 |
| 6. | Ugo Beckham (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Patricio Rubio (MID) | | 9 |
| 8. | Leon Braat (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Youssef Maas (ATT) | | 9 |
| 10. | David Konchesky (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Stefano Hamming (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Uwe Engels (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Matthias Riemann (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Andy Bakker (ATT) | 0 | |
| 1. | JŸrgen Van Bommel (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Raouf Maurice (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Gregoor Brouwers (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Sergio Teixeira (DEF) |  | 5 |
| 5. | William Laslandes (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Rodrigo Barbosa (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Jose Pirri (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Mitchell Jansen (MID) | | 6 |
| 9. | Marc Crooks (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Ferdi Besselink (ATT) | | 7 |
| 11. | Helder Semedo (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Rick Mulder (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Glenn Witschge (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Cristiano Jardim (MID) | 0 | |