Sparta Rotterdam played a do-or-die match against FC Groningen O21 in the Tweede Divisie. Jong Sparta had to win to promote to the Eredivisie. The match was played at Sportcomplex Nieuw Terbregge, where over 1,000 spectators were present. Trainer Jeff Stans could count on doelpuntenmaker Luc Nieuwenhuijs in the starting lineup. In the first match he could not start, but today he was able to. From the A-selectie was also left-back Giannino Vianello present. In the warm-up it became clear that team captain Liam Oetoeghanal could not start, he was replaced by Jafar Bynoe on the match sheet. After a bit more than a quarter of an hour, FC Groningen O21 took a 0-1 lead. Knullig ball loss by Jafar Bynoe brought Yenlo Holder into the position to simply round and he did not let it happen. It was indicative of the course of the first quarter in which FC Groningen was more dominant on the field and Sparta seemed to be overwhelmed by the pressure. It took until the 25th minute for Jong Sparta to finally get out of the shell, but they did not come up with chances. It did not take long for Groningen to take advantage of the mediocre play of Sparta that did not combine. In the 31st minute, Levi Roeland doubled the lead and the youth team of Groningen could already smell the promotion. In the 38th minute, Sparta had their first chance of the match via Luc Nieuwenhuijs. His attempt was stopped by the goalkeeper of the FC. In the rebound, Quincy Hoeve was still dangerous, but his shot from the turn was blocked. Just before the break, it was finally Jong Sparta that scored. Viggo Guit got the ball on the edge of the penalty area, played himself cleverly free and scored. So the red-whites could go to the dressing room with a positive feeling and still had a whole second half to win the match. In the break, trainer Jeff Stans made one change. Younes Jaber El Meftahi came in for Jafar Bynoe. El Meftahi took over the number 10 position, which meant that Viggo Guit moved a bit back on the midfield. Jong Sparta shot out of the blocks and equalized via Giannino Vianello. The change on the midfield seemed to have an effect, as in comparison to the first half, Jong Sparta was now more dominant and looking for a lead. In the 62nd minute, Luc Nieuwenhuijs had to leave the field. He could only play for an hour because he was returning from a injury. He was replaced by Marlon Silva Neves. With a quarter of an hour left to play, Jong Sparta finally got a, based on the second half, deserved 3-2 lead. Justice Esser ran off at the right and the ball was laid off to Viggo Guit, who scored his second of the evening. So the match went into the final phase and Jong Sparta had to win the match. Something that often did not work out last season. The final phase was often not the best period for the young players and that often resulted in nerves for the team and the spectators. Today it was also the case, Quincy Hoeve came well away in the 88th minute. The striker went to defend and was lucky that the referee judged the situation as a free kick for Sparta.