A warm Saturday evening welcomed a sellout crowd to the stadium. The crowd was expectant, as this was a real six pointer of a game. Both teams were fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. As if an extra incentive was needed, the local ice hockey champions paraded their huge piece of silverware to ADO’s supporters. For once they played ADO’s theme Liberté from start to finish. Even the full contingent of visiting supporters joined in, causing the stadium to bounce beneath their feet. A stunning atmosphere inside the stadium, that you would find hard to beat anywhere.

A cagey opening to the match, ADO feeling their way in to the game as Sparta sat back and waited for a predicted onslaught. The first chance fell to Soltani, whose shot was weak and easily claimed by the Sparta keeper Cassio Ramos.

Considering that this game had a lot resting on its outcome, neither team seemed willing or even able to take direct and full control of the proceedings. On thirteen minutes the game finally ignited. A wild flying tackle from Sparta’s Karim Touzani left Kai van Hese writhing on the floor. A free kick was awarded, but no card. It was an amazing decision by the referee Kevin Blom. Thirty seconds later a nothing challenge by Sparta’s Jerold Promes on Soltani earned him a yellow card. I think the referee was making amends for not booking Touzani in the previous challenge.

Twenty five minutes played and ADO takes the lead. Ammi took the ball down the right, played the ball in to Buijs who crosses a ball in at waist height in to the Sparta area. Knopper meets the ball with a perfectly timed volley, sweeping the ball right footed in to the back of the net, 1-0.

 
Thirty minutes and Sparta go down to ten men. ADO on the attack and a cross field ball, left to right is well taken by Soltani. After a few ricochets the ball begins to roll out for a corner kick and protects the ball to be sure. Then for some bizarre rush of blood to the head, Sparta’s Promes launches a two footed lunge straight the back of Soltani’s legs, leaving him in pain, writing around on the turf. Already on a yellow card, so red it was and he took the walk of shame.

The rest of the first half saw ADO huffing and puffing their way forward, but no open clear-cut chances. The players were cheered of at half time, not a thrilling spectacle, but a tense affair. ADO had a deserved one goal lead.

Second half began well for ADO, Sparta still showing no signs of urgency. Although the visiting fans had kept up a constant barrage of noise throughout the game so far, their players were not reacting to it. Buijs was putting himself about and managed to steal the ball away from some lackadaisical defensive passing on fifty one minutes, forcing the ball through to Immers. A ball laid on neatly and at pace to the on rushing Buijs who had the goal at his mercy, only to slip at the final moment of contact and send the ball wide of the right hand post.

Fifty-seven minutes later, Ammi showed what a skillful player he is. A ball hit out to him on the right of the defence at pace close to the touch line. A superb twist and flick up the line sent Knopper racing down the wing. A great cross was put out for a corner. As Knopper turned away from that cross, I could see him feel his groin and hobble tentatively back towards the half way line. Thought he was going to be substituted, but was allowed to run the pain off.

In the seventy sixth minute, a coming together of ADO’s Knopper and Sparta’s Rydell Poepon left them both in agony on the ground after what looked to be very mild contact, both ankle knocks. Play continued as both players received treatment. As Knopper waited to be called back on to the pitch, ADO started an attack down the right flank. Wesley Verhoek streamed forward with no support, but as he neared the waiting Knopper, the referee allowed him to join the action, thus giving Verhoek an outlet. Sparta’s bench and fans were livid with this and their defenders just scythed Verhoek down. Uproar ensued as the referee was surrounded by the entire visiting team including managers, coaches and trainers. After several heated and volatile exchanges one of the Sparta backroom staff was dismissed to the stands, much to the delight of the home supporters.

ADO was now cruising to a victory that would surely see them be in the Eredivisie next season. Sparta had shown nothing and looked to be going home with nothing, not that they deserved any different. Sparta player Joshua John alone seemed to not want to settle for no points. He began to inspire his team mates; they began to move up through the gears. ADO did not respond to this increased momentum by the visitors.

Eighty five minutes and John gathered the ball, played at pace and precision, the interplay between Yuri Rose on to Erik Falkenburg was exquisite and he crossed the ball in to the ADO box and an unmarked John sent a misdirected header wayward of the target only for it to be diverted in by the head of the unfortunate Derijck in to his own net, 1-1.

ADO’s heads dropped, not only of then players but of the fans as well. Three minutes of extra time to be added. Again, Joshua John took the initiative and urged his teammates on. John was then fouled outside the box by ADO’s substitute Ekrem Kahya, earning him a yellow card. John took the free kick himself and placed it towards the far post, a mass of players rose as one and the ball squirmed in to the net. Ayodele Adeleye claimed the goal after gaining the slightest of touches with his head, 1-2.

Twenty seconds later the final whistle blew. The whole visiting entourage went berserk; you would have thought they had just won the league title. It was however a vital three points for them. ADO had tossed it away. Waterman had nothing to do through the whole game apart from pick the ball out of the net twice. ADO was mugged; simple as that. Now they have to pick themselves up and quickly. Games are running out for them. They are still above the relegation teams, but only just. It is going to be a nailbiting finish for all those involved with ADO. I hope they stay up, even if only for the fantastic fans.

ADO’s man of the match: Immers, who worked tirelessly and unselfishly throughout the match.

Attendance: 14,993

Next home game is on Sunday 26 April at 12:30 against Feyenoord.


Neal McClimon
neal@thehagueonline.com
www.itpphotography.com

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