Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 21:58• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 22:09

PEC Zwolle has been officially relegated after Wednesday evening’s 2-0 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam. The defeat and the accompanying relegation did not go well with the accompanying fans, who threw chairs out of anger during the game at Het Kasteel. Willem II can continue to hope after the 1-1 draw against SC Cambuur. With another game ahead of FC Utrecht on Sunday, the gap on the provisionally safe number sixteen Sparta and number seventeen Fortuna Sittard is two points.

Sparta Rotterdam – PEC Zwolle 2-0
Sparta started excellent in a direct duel for relegation. A free kick by Vito van Crooij could be worked by Adil Auassar with the tip of his left foot behind Kostas Lamprou. PEC immediately wanted to do something in return, but a cross from Thomas van den Belt landed on the crossbar. On the other hand, Vito van Crooij made PEC’s worries worse on a pass from Younes Namli with a shot into the left corner.

PEC had to force something in the second half to avert relegation and after an hour of play was almost helped by Sparta defender Dirk Abels, who almost outsmarted his own goalkeeper. Maduka Okoy was able to prevent a goal against with a reflex. Fifteen minutes before the end, the Sparta goalkeeper tapped Clement’s shot wide. PEC could no longer become dangerous in the remainder of the game, so that it could not prevent relegation to the Kitchen Champion Division

Sad scenes at The Castle. The fans of PEC Zwolle cannot stomach the current situation and throw multiple seats. #spadec pic.twitter.com/v7hDKdRm8v

— Sander Verrips (@Sander_Verrips) May 11, 2022

SC Cambuur – Willem II 1-1
The Frisians gradually got better and better in the game, although it took until two minutes before half time before the opening goal could be noted in Leeuwarden. Left back Sekou Sylla scored his first goal in professional football with a line in the top corner of about 25 meters away. Cambuur went into the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to the wonderful goal from the wing defender. Willem II, however, straightened and came alongside in the opening phase of the second half.

Derrick Köhn cheers after the equalizer for Willem II.

Mats Köhlert first encountered Cambuur goalkeeper Sonny Stevens. Shortly afterwards, through left back Derrick Köhn, it was a hit for the bravely fighting Willem II: 1-1. Roberts Uldrikis seemed to restore Cambuur’s lead in the 71st minute, but his fine effort went just wide. A short time later, the again fit Tom Boere made his comeback at the home club. In the final phase of the meeting in Friesland there were still a lot of changes, but that did not change the score. Willem II now has to win against Utrecht on Sunday to keep the prospect of preserving his body, although they depend on Sparta and Fortuna Sittard with both two points more.

Fortuna Sittard – Vitesse 1-2
Fortuna could use the points well in the fight against relegation. Openda was close to scoring after fifteen minutes, but his shot went just wide. Two minutes later Adrian Grbic shot the ball hard against the post. After 35 minutes, the home team made themselves heard, but Lisandro Semedo shot well over the head from Ben Rienstra. Fortuna took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Paul Gladon was floored by Tomas Hajek in the penalty area and converted the opportunity himself.

Even before the halftime signal sounded, Vitesse was level again. With a pass from his own half, Riechedly Bazoer found Million Manhoef, who pushed the ball into the goal. Ten minutes after the break, both goalkeepers turned out to be ready for shots from Semedo and Openda. The latter was successful after more than an hour with a header through the bottom of the crossbar on a pass from Eliazer Dasa and thus brought Vitesse the victory.

RKC Waalwijk – Heracles Almelo 2-0
Both teams knew that with a win, enforcement was almost certain. Heracles gave the go-ahead for the game in Waalwijk with a header from Sinan Bakis. The home side came up with an answer in the form of a goal. A pass back by Luca de la Torre turned out to be too short, allowing Finn Stokkers to take over. He in turn reached Michiel Kramer, who was able to slide the leather in.

After the break, a free kick by Alexander Büttner was headed in by Melle Meulensteen, but the ball went just wide via Koen Bucker. After an hour of play, RKC doubled the lead. A goal kick by Etienne Vaessen was headed through by Kramer on Richard van der Venne, who finished with a nice marker. He was therefore responsible for the last feat of arms of the match, which meant that the home team was kept alive.