Willem II is promoted, Roda JC cheers too early and awaits a decisive match with FC Groningen

Willem II is certain of promotion to the Eredivisie. The Tilburg team played a draw against FC Dordrecht (1-1), but are assured of a place in the top two due to the loss of points to FC Groningen. Roda JC also thought they had been promoted after their victory over SC Cambuur (2-0), but a late equalizer from Groningen allowed the northerners to get over the Limburgers.

FC Dordrecht – Willem II (1-1)

Willem II secured promotion to the Eredivisie on Friday evening. The people from Tilburg were still 1-0 behind when they visited FC Dordrecht in the first half after a goal by Shiloh ‘t Zand. Fifteen minutes before the end, the visitors thought they could put things in order from the spot, but Jeredy Hilterman missed the golden opportunity. In injury time, Willem II was rewarded for his work and Michael de Leeuw shot the equalizer against the ropes. Due to the results on the other fields, the people of Tilburg are assured of a place in the top two with the same game. This means that Willem II returns to the highest Dutch level after a year’s absence.

Roda JC – SC Cambuur (2-0)

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Roda JC also hoped to secure promotion to the Eredivisie on Friday evening. The Limburgers received a visit from SC Cambuur and took the lead about half an hour before the end through Sami Ouaissa. Ten minutes later, Vaclav Sejk decided the game by scoring the 2-0. Due to FC Groningen’s deficit, Roda thought it had a four-point lead over number three, which would ensure promotion. Fans of the Limburgers stormed the field to celebrate that their club was back in the Eredivisie. Suddenly, FC Groningen equalized when visiting Telstar, meaning that Roda is still not certain of promotion with one match to play. The fans of the Limburgers thought they had been promoted because the stadium speaker had announced that FC Groningen had lost 2-1. After he corrected the error, the supporters returned to the stands.

Telstar – FC Groningen (1-1)

FC Groningen seemed to completely lose the chance of direct promotion when they visited Telstar. The home team took the lead in the first minute of the game, after which the northerners had difficulty finding the net. Deep into injury time, it was Thom van Bergen who put the visitors on level terms, with which the Groningers spoiled the party in Kerkrade and they still have a view of direct promotion. To achieve this, they must beat number two Roda JC in the last round, which has a three-point lead with a lower goal difference.