Willem II suffered their first defeat of the season. Sparta Rotterdam took a 0-1 lead shortly after half-time on Saturday evening, but in the final phase Belgian midfielder Cisse Sandra blasted his team to equalize. The stadium exploded, but that joy was short-lived. The visitors struck just before the end and took three points back to Rotterdam: 1-2.
Willem II is a tough opponent to beat in front of their home crowd. However, the twelfth man was missing on Saturday night because the KingSide with its fanatical supporters had to remain closed. A punishment from the KNVB for setting off fireworks during the championship match against Telstar last season.
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It was certainly not quiet in the King Willem II Stadium. Despite the lack of vocal support from the supporters behind the goal, the spectators in the other stands tried to make something of it. The home team showed very decent play in the first half. The last fifteen minutes resulted in several chances, but goalkeeper Nick Olij, selected for Oranje, kept his team on its feet.
Goal Sparta
The visitors struck early in the second half. Pelle Clement took advantage of poor defending and pulled the trigger. A painful blow for Willem II and it seemed to get even more painful when the 0-2 fell. The linesman flagged for offside, after which the VAR looked into it. It took several minutes before referee Allard Lindhout himself looked at the screen. This also took a while, but eventually offside was found.
In the final phase of the match, Jeremy Bokila’s substitution provided the energy Willem II needed. Tilburg rolled up their sleeves and Sparta was pushed back. Cisse Sandra’s goal on the edge of the penalty area made the supporters go wild.
Late 1-2
Sandra’s goal was not enough for a point. Camiel Neghli shot his team to a new lead in the 89th minute in a magnificent way. In the seven minutes of extra time that followed, Willem II did try, but the score did not change.
Cisse Sandra was disappointed after the late goal against. “The 1-1 created a euphoric feeling, but unfortunately that didn’t last long. I think we were too eager to go after the 2-1, while we could have been satisfied with an equal score. We have to learn from this as a team.”
The empty KingSide was a loss for the team. “The support of the fans helps us, for example at the end of a match. It is very nice that they are there again for the next home match.”
Derby
With the first defeat this season Willem II drops to ninth place in the Eredivisie. The next match is Sunday 15 September when ‘neighbour’ RKC Waalwijk comes to the Koning Willem II Stadion.
