Heracles Almelo has not managed to play it safe. The home match against Sparta Rotterdam was lost 1-3. Sinan Bakis signed for the Almelo goal. Because Fortuna Sittard also took the full win, Heracles Almelo was sentenced to play promotion/relegation matches.
Frank Wormuth’s formation seized the initiative. The first chance came in the sixteenth minute. However, Nikolai Laursen’s header went over. Sparta Rotterdam created the first danger in the 21st minute. Vito van Crooy was a toe-length short to slide in a cross.
Heracles Almelo kept checking and should have scored in the 26th minute. Anas Ouahim slammed into the bottom of the bar from very close range. Sinan Bakis’ chance in the 35th minute was more difficult. The striker’s header, however, was parried by Maduka Okoye. Another opportunity followed from a corner kick in the fortieth minute. Lucas Schoofs’ header went over.
Sparta Rotterdam created new danger in the 41st minute. Younes Namli’s shot was nicely parried by Koen Bucker. The visitors struck just before halftime. Arno Verschueren escaped the offside trap and poked the ball behind Koen Bucker.
The second half started with a controversial moment. Heracles Almelo claimed a penalty after Aaron Meijers’ handball, but referee Makkelie dismissed the incident. Heracles Almelo then provided heavy pressure, but creating opportunities proved difficult against the Spartan wall. The visitors struck again in the 69th minute. Lennart Thy was able to finish from a counter.
Heracles Almelo tried desperately to turn the tide, but ten minutes before the end the 0-3 came from a new counter. Mario Engels took care of the closing. Sinan Bakis scored the 1-3 in the 83rd minute from a fine pass by Luca de la Torre. De la Torre almost hit the goal in the ninetieth minute with a cross, but Maduka Okoye cleared the bar.
The stampede of Heracles Almelo yielded nothing and because Fortuna Sittard also won at NEC, the only scenario unfolded that was not allowed to take place. A verdict leading to the promotion/relegation matches.
