The second legs of the four Eredivisie promotion play-offs took place on Monday, with Go Ahead Eagles relegated to the Eerste Divisie, while NAC Breda moved onto the finals.
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Go Ahead Eagles 0-1 De Graafschap (0-2 on aggregate)
Go Ahead Eagles have been relegated from the Eredivisie after two seasons in the top flight after a 1-0 defeat in Deventer saw De Graafschap progress to the final, 2-0 on aggregate.
Just like the first leg, Go Ahead Eagles created several chances but could not find the net with Glynor Plet and Alex Schalk particularly wasteful in front of goal. Schalk had the best chance in the second half, but his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Caner Cavlan. Moments after that miss De Graafschap sealed Go Ahead Eagles fate when Vincent Vermeij headed in a corner.
Go Ahead Eagles drop down to the Eerste Divisie, but they will still be in the Europa League next season after Netherlands were awarded an extra place through fair play. De Graafschap will face Volendam for a place in the Eredivisie.
FC Eindhoven 1-1 Volendam (2-3 on aggregate)
Volendam are closing in on a return to the Eredivisie after they held FC Eindhoven to a 1-1 draw to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
FC Eindhoven were favourites going into the tie despite the first leg defeat, but despite dominating from the start they could not find the net in the first half with Roald van Hout, Joey Sleegers and Fries Deschilder all passing up good chances.
With 30 minutes to go Volendam hit the home side with a sucker punch as Brandley Kuwas fired into the net from the edge of the box, and despite goalkeeper Tom Muyters equalising in the final minute, FC Eindhoven could not take the game to extra time.
Volendam now face De Graafschap in the final, while FC Eindhoven’s excellent season comes to a disappointing end. Coach Jean-Paul de Jong departs for FC Utrecht, while best player Joey Sleegers returns to Feyenoord.
Roda JC 2-2 FC Emmen (3-2 on aggregate)
Roda JC are still in with a chance of going straight back up to the Eredivisie after a 2-2 draw with FC Emmen, which saw them progress 3-2 on aggregate.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Roda JC seemed to put the tie beyond Emmen after they opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with Raymond Gyasi racing onto a through ball before finishing calmly. However FC Emmen showed good fight and equalised just before the half hour mark when Boy Duel fired an excellent strike into the top corner from just outside the box.
On the stroke of half time Roda JC regained their lead through Mitchell Paulissen, who finished well after being sent on goal by Marc Hocher. Emmen searched for another equaliser after the break, and after Luis Pedro struck the post, Roland Bergkamp finally drew them level with twenty minutes to go. Emmen pushed for a winner, but Roda JC stood firm to progress to a final against NAC Breda.
NAC Breda 3-0 VVV Venlo (4-0 on aggregate)
NAC are on course to stay in the Eredivisie after easing past VVV Venlo 3-0 in the Breda.
Guyon Fernandez made the difference during the first leg, and the NAC striker was once again on form, putting the home side ahead just before the break after capitalising on some shocking defending by VVV Venlo.
Manchester City loanee Davine Naah jinked through the VVV defence before sliding the ball into the net for NAC’s 2nd on 70 minutes, and Fernandez then sealed the win moments later after being set up on a plate by Mats Seutjens.
NAC now face Roda JC to reclaim their place in the Eredivisie next season.
Play-off finals
First leg Thursday 28th: Roda JC v NAC, De Graafschap v Volendam
Second leg Sunday 31st: NAC v Roda JC, Volendam v De Graafschap
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