Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Risky Business |
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Het Kasteel where Sparta Rotterdam play host to Willem II Tilburg. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Sparta Rotterdam and Willem II Tilburg are lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Nelson Allach.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Sparta Rotterdam and Willem II Tilburg are lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Nelson Allach.
0.00
0-0Sparta Rotterdam kick off and get the first half underway!
3.51
0-0Jos Van Beukering threads the ball through to James Boyd. James Boyd knocks in a cross ball towards Sophiane Recorbet. Sophiane Recorbet beats his man to it with a header but it is tipped over by Jonas Riemann.
5.26
0-0It's a corner kick. Linus Schnellinger loops the ball in to towards the near post. Fabian Natale Pandolfi chests the ball down and quickly clears it out of the danger area!
9.19
Steven Fox knocks the ball to his team mate, Aron Scharrenburg. Aron Scharrenburg whips in a cross ball towards Graham Mann. Graham Mann gets a glancing touch on the cross ball but is denied by Abdelkrim Chippo. Excellent save.
10.02
Linus Schnellinger makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Arno Basler. Arno Basler shoots from 25 yards. Solid save from Jonas Riemann.
12.15
0-0Arjen Janssen controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Sophiane Recorbet. Sophiane Recorbet shoots from 25 yards but it scrapes just over the bar. Good effort!
16.10
0-0Steven Fox threads the ball through to Aron Scharrenburg. Aron Scharrenburg knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
18.26
Steven Fox flicks a high pass forward. Neil Benali collects the pass. Neil Benali knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Zeljko Bresciano.
20.01
Ivan Montero knocks the ball to his team mate, Neil Benali. Neil Benali tries a spectacular long range effort but Abdelkrim Chippo is on top of his game. Fabulous stop!
26.42
Fabian Natale Pandolfi sees Ivan Montero in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Ivan Montero threads the ball through to Aron Scharrenburg. Aron Scharrenburg knocks in a cross ball towards Neil Benali. Neil Benali heads the ball goalwards. Abdelkrim Chippo manages to gather it easily.
28.08
Zeljko Bresciano makes a simple pass to Linus Schnellinger. Linus Schnellinger flicks a high pass forward to James Boyd who brings the ball under control. James Boyd shoots from 25 yards but it whistles just wide of the post!
30.06
Thierry Brighton makes a simple pass to Ivan Montero. Ivan Montero flicks a high pass forward. Neil Benali collects the pass. Neil Benali makes a beautiful attacking pass to the feet of Aron Scharrenburg. Some awkward footwork from Aron Scharrenburg provides some space. He stabs the ball goalward but it flies just wide!
32.46
Mihai Dalakis passes the ball forward to Arjen Janssen. Arjen Janssen threads the ball through to Arno Basler. Arno Basler lofts in a cross ball towards James Boyd. James Boyd connects with a diving header but Jonas Riemann is on top of it.
33.54
Arjen Janssen surges forward with the ball. Arjen Janssen runs straight at the defence! Arjen Janssen muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal but slams it into the crowd!
38.11
Gabriel Kiko flicks a high ball forward to Steven Fox who takes it down. Steven Fox threads the ball through to Graham Mann. Graham Mann knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
40.15
0-0Arjan ten Brink flicks a high pass forward. Aron Scharrenburg controls it well on his chest. Aron Scharrenburg makes a pass forward but Neil Benali makes his run far too early. Offside by a mile!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Sparta Rotterdam appear unchanged since the first half. Willem II Tilburg 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
Willem II Tilburg kick off!
48.54
0-1Steven Fox threads the ball through to Aron Scharrenburg. Aron Scharrenburg knocks in a cross ball towards Neil Benali. Neil Benali makes a looping header on goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Abdelkrim Chippo with no chance!! Goal for Willem II Tilburg!
53.07
0-1Linus Schnellinger flicks a high pass forward. Arno Basler collects the pass. Arno Basler plays a one-two with James Boyd and advances towards the goal... Some good footwork from Arno Basler provides some space. He shoots at goal. The ball curls but is blocked by Fabian Natale Pandolfi's outstretched leg.
60.10
0-1Sparta Rotterdam have made 2 substitutions with Jan Vennegoor Lamey replacing Linus Schnellinger and Nico Böhm replacing Arno Basler .
61.14
0-1Gabriel Kiko hacks Sophiane Recorbet from behind! The referee warns Gabriel Kiko to calm down! Sophiane Recorbet stretches but gets up unharmed.
65.34
Thierry Brighton arcs the ball upfield. Neil Benali knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
67.11
Arjen Janssen picks a pass forward to Nico Böhm. Nico Böhm knocks in a cross ball towards James Boyd. James Boyd makes a convincing header. Jonas Riemann punches it away to safety.
75.22
Arjan ten Brink makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Aron Scharrenburg. Aron Scharrenburg passes the ball forward but Graham Mann is offside!
77.55
Willem II Tilburg have made a substitution with Bert Bobson replacing Steven Fox and appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-3-3 formation.
81.36
Arjen Janssen hits a low pass to Nico Böhm. Nico Böhm passes the ball forward but James Boyd is offside!
83.03
Arjan ten Brink runs straight at the opposition's defence. Arjan ten Brink deftly passes the ball to Neil Benali, releasing him through on goal. Neil Benali tries a spectacular strike. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is more than a match for it. Well saved!
84.52
Jos Van Beukering chips the ball to his team mate, James Boyd. James Boyd knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Jonas Riemann who gathers it comfortably.
90.00
The referee blows for full-time
Match Statistics
Goals
0
1
Shots on Target
5
5
Shots off Target
3
1
Offsides
1
2
Fouls
0
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
53.6%
46.4%
Play Area
23.8%
41.7%
34.5%
Scorers
| Neil Benali 49 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Neil Benali of Willem II Tilburg |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Abdelkrim Chippo (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Zeljko Bresciano (DEF) | 7 | |
| 3. | Ledley Grant (DEF) | 7 | |
| 4. | Mihai Dalakis (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Panagiotis Polites (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Arjen Janssen (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Linus Schnellinger (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Jos Van Beukering (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | James Boyd (ATT) | 7 | |
| 10. | Sophiane Recorbet (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Arno Basler (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Panagiotis Pappas (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Jan Vennegoor Lamey (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Nico Böhm (ATT) | 6 | |
| 1. | Jonas Riemann (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Thierry Brighton (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Gabriel Kiko (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Fabian Natale Pandolfi (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Steven Fox (MID) | 7 | |
| 6. | Ivan Montero (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Arjan ten Brink (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Mitchel Human (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Neil Benali (ATT) |  | 9 |
| 10. | Graham Mann (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Aron Scharrenburg (ATT) | 8 | |
| 12. | Ricardo Antunes (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Bert Bobson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 14. | Leslie Noviello (ATT) | 0 | |