March 30, 2024 – 8:45 PM
Sparta Rotterdam booked an important victory over Fortuna Sittard tonight. At an atmospheric Kasteel, the Rotterdam team was too strong for its direct competitor with 4-0. Arno Verschueren scored the opening goal, after which Tobias Lauritsen became the match winner with two goals and an assist. The final chord came from Camiel Neghli.
Sparta did not play last week due to the international break. That didn’t suit Bart Vriends, because he had been sidelined all of March with an injury. Tonight the captain made his return, at the expense of Rick Meissen. Joshua Kitolano and Django Warmerdam, on the other hand, had not yet recovered from their injuries. Pelle Clement therefore started again in the starting line-up. In addition, Metinho was again preferred to Jonathan de Guzmán. At Fortuna there were starting places for former Spartans Deroy Duarte and Michael Verrips.
The first chance of the match was not long in coming. Metinho, who played a very good match, started a nice solo and put the ball back to Arno Verschueren. However, his shot was blocked and so was Shunsuke Mito’s rebound. Nevertheless, Sparta was the better party in the opening phase. The Rotterdam team had to make the play and they did it well. After just over fifteen minutes of play, there was a new opportunity for coach Jeroen Rijsdijk’s team. This time it was spent on Koki Saito, but the Japanese saw his effort go past a Fortuna player. After 25 minutes of play the deserved 1-0 was scored. Verschueren is in good form with four goals from the last three home games and scored again tonight. The Belgian emerged free at the first post after a corner kick from Pelle Clement and headed in hard: 1-0.
Even after the opening goal, Sparta had the upper hand and combined beautifully through Fortuna’s defense a number of times. However, this did not lead to more opportunities. It was even Justin Lonwijk, who was close to the equalizer on behalf of Fortuna. However, he shot into the side netting from a difficult angle. Just before half time, Fortuna once again appeared threateningly in front of the Spata goal. This time it was Iñigo Cordoba, who came face to face with Sparta goalie Nick Olij, but he had an adequate response to his attempt. In the closing seconds of the first half, Sparta almost made it 2-0. Verschueren again appeared at the first post for a corner kick from Clement and again Fortuna goalkeeper Michael Verrips was beaten. Cordoba made a save on the goal line, after which Verschueren headed over a few seconds later on a pass from Saito.
As a result, Sparta entered the dressing room after a good first half with a 1-0 lead, thanks to the man in form Verschueren. However, Fortuna also has a player who is in a good phase; Kaj Sierhuis. The striker had the first chance of the second half, but saw Olij defuse his header. Not much later, Sierhuis was given a second chance. Thanks to a long ball from Oguzhan Özyakup, the attack leader came face to face with Olij. However, Sierhuis’ efforts went ahead. Until then, Sparta waited for its first chance of the second half, but took advantage of it immediately. Salto passed the ball to Djevencio van der Kust, who reached Tobias Lauritsen with an excellent cross. The Norwegian then tapped in: 2-0! Sparta led comfortably against Fortuna and almost made it 3-0 through Mito. The Japanese attempt went just wide.
Even after the 2-0, Sparta remained lord and master of an attractive Castle. Lauritsen tried it again after a nice attack via substitute Camiel Neghli and Saito. However, Verrips had an answer to the striker’s attempt, although the goalie had to deal with a more difficult shot fifteen minutes before the end. Djevencio van der Kust was close to his first for Sparta, but saw the closing post tap his effort away under the crossbar. Verrips was beaten from the subsequent corner kick, but Sierhuis made the save on the goal line. The striker thus prevented a goal from his fellow striker, because the header came from Lauritsen. Ten minutes before the end there was a new chance for the man who scored eight goals this season. Verschueren was the announcer, but this time Lauritsen worked the ball high over the ball. Ultimately, Lauritsen would get his second of the evening after an error in Fortuna’s rearguard. The striker finished coolly and also provided an assist in injury time. Neghli received the ball from Lauritsen and found the top corner! As a result, it ended no less than 4-0.
A wonderful football evening for Sparta, which won with big numbers against Fortuna. The Kasteellords are also doing very good business and have a play-offs ticket in hand, because Sparta is now ninth because it overtook Fortuna. A midweek match is scheduled for Tuesday against Vitesse in Arnhem.
Sparta Rotterdam line-up:
Nick Olij, Saïd Bakari, Bart Vriends (65. Rick Meissen), Mike Eerdhuijzen, Djevencio van der Kust, Metinho, Shunuske Mito (65. Camiel Neghli), Pelle Clement, Tobias Lauritsen, Arno Verschueren, Koki Saito (83. Jonathan de Guzman)