DOETINCHEM - De Graafschap has secured a commanding 4-0 victory against Sparta Nijkerk, propelling them to the knockout stages of the TOTO KNVB Cup. The win showcased the talent of striker Jesse van de Haar, who netted three goals to lead his team to victory.
The match took place Thursday evening at De Graafschap's home ground and didn't start well for the visitors from Nijkerk. De Graafschap, currently competing two divisions higher than Sparta Nijkerk, dominated the game from the first whistle.
Within just twelve minutes, van de Haar opened the scoring. Finding himself suddenly free inside the penalty area, he coolly slotted the ball past Sparta's goalkeeper, Swaneveld. The early goal set the tone for the match, allowing De Graafschap to assert their control over the proceedings.
Despite the early setback, right after conceding, Sparta Nijkerk sought to find their rhythm and launched some attacking plays. They had few real chances, but their efforts were met with stout defending from De Graafschap, and goalkeeper Ties Wieggers remained relatively untroubled throughout the first half.
A pivotal moment came just before half-time when Lion Kaak produced a powerful shot from distance. His effort struck the crossbar, and van de Haar was on hand to pounce on the rebound, doubling the lead to 2-0 just before the break.
Going back to the second half, De Graafschap resumed where they left off. They were persistent and after an hour of play, van de Haar completed his hat trick. A well-executed team play on the right side led to van de Haar heading home the ball, making it 3-0. This effort solidified his performance and allowed the fans to cheer him on with gusto.
Ten minutes later, substitute Yannick Eduardo came close to extending the lead to 4-0 but was thwarted by Swaneveld, who managed to narrow down the angle just enough as Eduardo attempted to slip the ball past him.
Blnd Hassan, another substitute, ensured the victory was emphatic by scoring De Graafschap's fourth goal. He reacted sharply to net from close range, marking his first official goal for the senior team. His goal sparked celebrations among the players, witnessing what can only be described as the team's collective relief and joy at the comprehensive win.
After the match, the atmosphere was one of pride for the visiting Sparta Nijkerk fans. Despite the loss, approximately 500 fans had traveled to support their team; they remained energetic throughout the game, clapping and chanting, even as the final whistle blew. The players and coaching staff thanked their supporters profusely for their unwavering commitment and enthusiasm.
With this victory, De Graafschap advances to the last sixteen of the TOTO KNVB Cup, with the draw for the next round set to take place on Friday at 5 PM, live on ESPN. The club is eager to continue their cup run and make significant strides this season.
The match stats echoed the dominance of De Graafschap: they dictated the pace and rhythm throughout the encounter and effectively defended against Sparta's attempts.
De Graafschap will be buoyed by this performance as they look to carry the momentum forward, with their next league match scheduled against Volendam on December 22, where they will aim to maintain consistency and build on their cup success.
This match certainly marked a high point for the players and supporters alike, demonstrating the quality of De Graafschap and the enthusiasm present at their home ground.
Final Score: De Graafschap 4, Sparta Nijkerk 0.
