Sparta - VVV-Venlo

VVV-Venlo have not been able to give their fans a great carnival present. In Rotterdam, Jan van Dijk’s side were left empty-handed against Sparta Rotterdam: 2-0. At the Castle, the Venlo squad played against ten players for more than an hour, but the damage sustained – two goals against – could not be repaired anymore.

 

Jan van Dijk had no reasons to change his successful side which had beaten Vitesse. Hardly had the Rotterdam spectators taken to their seats after the Sparta March when they could burst out into their well-known club song. There were only 45 seconds on the scoreboard when the home side already took the lead. Edouard Duplan sped towards the goal line, reading the game well. Joshua John then converted his pass: 1-0. This was a rough awakening for VVV-Venlo. However, it took another 15 minutes before they were really fully awake. They owed it to goal keeper Kevin Begois that Sparta did not score the 2-0. His fine reflex prevented expert player Sander van Gessel from scoring.

 

After Sparta’s offensive assault abated after the first 15 minutes, VVV-Venlo took control of the game. The Limburg side were better organised now and played better. Gonzalo García got the best opportunity to score the equaliser. However, his shot went just wide. While the 1- 1 was in the air, it was the home side that dealt a sledgehammer blow. On a sharp break, it was Duplan who struck home the 2-0 with a header after a Darko Bodul cross. Before half-time, García had another chance to make the score more acceptable, but goal keeper Aleksander Seliga saved the shot.

 

Shortly after the break, Sparta were reduced to ten men. Donovan Slijngard went in with a late and wild tackle on Ruben Schaken’s legs. Referee Blom showed no mercy presenting the left back with a straight red card. Coach Jan van Dijk tried to apply more forward pressure by bringing in three subs. Michael Timisela, Diogo Viana and Michael Uchebo joined the Venlo ranks. Bringing in defender Timisela meant that Ferry de Regt was sent to the attack. It was not until 15 minutes later that the change of strategy led to a Venlo opportunity. Sandro Calabro was given a good chance to score the equaliser and give the home side a hard time. But the striker did not score and neither did he a bit later. This way, Sparta Rotterdam’s victory was safe. For the Rotterdam side, it meant the first three points in the league since 1 November 2009. On that day, NEC Nijmegen were the last opponents to leave the Castle empty-handed against Frans Adelaar’s squad. For VVV-Venlo, the loss meant the sixth defeat in an away game.

 

After the press conference, Jan van Dijk remarked, ‘We had been expecting an explosive start on the part of Sparta. But for the first goal to be netted so fast is not a good thing. However, we had sufficient time to put things right. We pursued the equaliser and created a number of chances. They got the 2-0 on the break. At that moment, our defence was not properly organised because we were focussing too much on the attack. In spite of the 2-0, we kept our calm during the break. After the red card, it was difficult to penetrate the Sparta defence. We tried via the wings, but it was hard to get through. We had a few opportunities. If you do not score the 2-1, Sparta Rotterdam will not crack. We are left empty-handed now but will not panic. Now we are going to prepare for the home game against AZ.”

 

Sunday 14 February 2010

 

 

SPARTA ROTTERDAM – VVV-VENLO 2-0

1. Joshua John 1-0, 32. Edouard Duplan 2-0. Referee: Blom. Crowd attendance: 10012. Red card: 52. Donovan Slijngard (Sparta Rotterdam, for a late tackle). Yellow cards: Nathan Rutjes, Milano Koenders (both Sparta Rotterdam), Niels Fleuren, Ken Leemans and Patrick Paauwe (all VVV-Venlo).

 

Sparta Rotterdam squad:

Aleksander Seliga; Milano Koenders, Ayodele Adeleye, Nick Viergever, Donovan Slijngard; Nathan Rutjes (46. Edwin van Bueren), Sander van Gessel, Erik Falkenburg; Edouard Duplan, Darko Bodul (74. Rydell Poepon) and Joshua John (58. Ruud Knol).

 

VVV-Venlo squad:

Kevin Begois; Ferry de Regt, Frank van Kouwen (72. Michael Uchebo), Patrick Paauwe, Niels Fleuren; Ken Leemans, Gonzalo García (64. Michael Timisela), Adil Auassar; Ruben Schaken, Sandro Calabro and Achmed Ahahaoui (67. Diogo Viana).