Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Graphic Ace |
Match Report
There is a slight drizzle in the air here at Het Kasteel where Sparta Rotterdam play host to FC Groningen. A crowd of 12,764 fill this 14,000 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 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Barry Allchurch.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Sparta Rotterdam are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while FC Groningen appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Barry Allchurch.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and FC Groningen kick off!
2.43
0-0Raffaele Sadotti runs straight at the opposition's defence. Raffaele Sadotti knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Billy Pothuizen who gathers it comfortably.
3.48
David Levintsky chips the ball to his team mate, Djimi Modeste. Djimi Modeste knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Del Owen.
8.07
0-0Ottavio Coscia threads the ball through to Leon Jung. Leon Jung lofts in a cross ball towards Enrique Medina. Enrique Medina connects with a diving header but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
9.39
Enrique Medina brings the ball forward. Enrique Medina knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Marques Pereira Tamazout.
10.46
0-016.51
0-0Diego Van Der Heijden kicks a strong pass forward to Ottavio Coscia. Ottavio Coscia flicks a high pass forward to Enrique Medina who brings the ball under control. Enrique Medina tries a spectacular long range effort but Ruben Steijn is on top of his game. Good keeping!
18.48
Ottavio Coscia flicks a high pass forward. Damian De Palmas holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Damian De Palmas flicks a high pass forward to Leon Jung who brings the ball under control. Leon Jung tries a spectacular long range effort but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
24.16
Raffaele Sadotti chips the ball to his team mate, Bram Hoogstrate. Bram Hoogstrate shoots from 20 yards but it's well over the bar!
27.57
Youssef Maximiano makes a simple pass to Thijs De Romijn. Thijs De Romijn changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Thijs De Romijn shoots from outside the area. The keeper is more than a match for it. Fabulous stop!
28.55
Rodney Gerritsen flicks a high ball forward to Remco Seedorf who takes it down. Remco Seedorf knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
34.13
0-0Damian De Palmas sees Enrique Medina in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Enrique Medina whips in a cross ball towards Leon Jung. Leon Jung finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball strikes Carlos Gomes's outstretched foot and is deflected wide.
35.24
0-0Corner kick to Sparta Rotterdam. Ottavio Coscia chips it to the near post. Youssef Maximiano reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
45.00
Del Owen kicks a strong pass forward to Thijs De Romijn. Thijs De Romijn knocks the ball to his team mate, Remco Seedorf. Remco Seedorf advances inside the box! Remco Seedorf looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. Billy Pothuizen effortlessly gets down and covers it.
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. The Sparta Rotterdam players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Sparta Rotterdam kick off the second half!
47.43
Del Owen controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Rodney Gerritsen. Rodney Gerritsen knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Billy Pothuizen who gathers it comfortably.
48.23
David Levintsky kicks a strong pass forward to Djimi Modeste. Djimi Modeste shoots from long range. It smacks hard against the advertising boards behind the goal. Just wide!
51.15
0-0There is some beautiful football being played out on the pitch today.
53.28
Jimmy Van De Looi decides to run forward with the ball. Jimmy Van De Looi darts forward. Jimmy Van De Looi whips in a cross ball towards Djimi Modeste. Djimi Modeste directs the ball goalwards with his head. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. He makes it look easy!
55.45
Diego Van Der Heijden lofts the ball long. Djimi Modeste shoots from long range. The ball hits the post, bouncing back into play. Sparta Rotterdam are unable to capitalise and the keeper manages to gather up the loose ball.
61.42
Romano Keller sees Damian De Palmas in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Damian De Palmas makes a probing pass to Enrique Medina. Enrique Medina knocks in a cross ball towards Djimi Modeste. Djimi Modeste makes a looping header on goal but it's a lousy effort!
63.13
Jimmy Van De Looi comes in with a late challenge on Hugo Diez. Jimmy Van De Looi is warned by the referee! Hugo Diez runs off the knock.
72.05
David Levintsky threads the ball through to Leon Jung. Leon Jung shoots from outside the area but it misses the target by a large margin!
73.57
Raffaele Sadotti advances with the ball. Raffaele Sadotti lofts in a cross ball towards Bram Hoogstrate. Bram Hoogstrate knocks the ball goalwards with his head but it's well over the bar!
77.49
Jimmy Van De Looi plays the ball forward to David Levintsky. David Levintsky sees Djimi Modeste in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Djimi Modeste knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
81.40
Del Owen clumsily knocks into Djimi Modeste. The referee brings Del Owen to one side and gives him a warning! Djimi Modeste hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
87.35
0-0Ronald Maximiano comes in with a late challenge on Carlos Gomes. The referee calls over Ronald Maximiano and shows him a yellow card! Carlos Gomes runs off the knock.
89.21
Ronald Maximiano clumsily knocks into Raffaele Sadotti. Ronald Maximiano is given a warning by the referee! Raffaele Sadotti runs off the knock.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
0
0
Shots on Target
3
2
Shots off Target
6
2
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
4
1
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
56.2%
43.8%
Play Area
27%
47.2%
25.8%
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Raffaele Sadotti of FC Groningen |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Billy Pothuizen (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Diego Van Der Heijden (DEF) | 7 | |
| 3. | Romano Keller (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Jimmy Van De Looi (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Damian De Palmas (MID) | 7 | |
| 6. | David Levintsky (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Ottavio Coscia (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Ronald Maximiano (MID) |  | 5 |
| 9. | Djimi Modeste (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Enrique Medina (ATT) | 8 | |
| 11. | Leon Jung (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Nicola C. Russo (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Nicholas Middleton (GK) | 0 | |
| 14. | Corrado Italiano (DEF) | 0 | |
| 1. | Ruben Steijn (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Carlos Gomes (DEF) | 7 | |
| 3. | Marques Pereira Tamazout (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Del Owen (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Youssef Maximiano (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Raffaele Sadotti (MID) | 9 | |
| 7. | Hugo Diez (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Thijs De Romijn (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Rodney Gerritsen (MID) | 6 | |
| 10. | Remco Seedorf (ATT) | 7 | |
| 11. | Bram Hoogstrate (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Andre Abidallah (ATT) | 0 | |
| 13. | Danny Wau (GK) | 0 | |
| 14. | Romero P. Marcos (ATT) | 0 | |