SC Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam have shared the points in the opening game of the new season in the Eredivisie. In the Abe Lenstra Stadium, the meeting ended in a goalless draw: 0-0. The fact that the audience in Heerenveen gave a flute concert afterwards, was typical for the match image.
Van Wonderen immediately had access to Sydney van Hooijdonk, who had come over from Bologna, who formed the attacking duo with Amin Sarr. Goalkeeper Andries Noppert also made his debut in the goal of the Frisians. The five-man defense was led by captain Sven van Beek. Trainer Maurice Steijn chose to make five names debut. In addition to Jonathan De Guzmán, Mike Eerdhuijzen, Jason Lokilo, Tobias Lauritsen and Nick Olij also got the chance to show themselves from the first whistle.
In the opening phase of the match, the entertainment value for the spectators present was limited. The only pinprick of the first quarter of the game was handed out by Van Hooijdonk, who came across Olij with his bet. The greatest chance of the first half was noted by Mats Köhlert. The latter came close to scoring the opening goal with a hard shot into the bottom corner, but again Olij prevented a goal.
In the second company little changed in the game picture: Heerenveen lacked creativity in the final phase of the attack, while Sparta was concentrated in defending. After an hour of play, Van Hooijdonk tried his luck again; however, he failed to pass Sparta’s sharp closing post. Although both teams were still looking for the winning goal in the final phase, it was not found.