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ROBERTS SCORES IN FINAL MINUTE FOR SPARTA |
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Trinidad and Tobago striker Darryl Roberts came
off the bench to score in the final minute and help Sparta Rotterdam secure a
battling 2-2 draw with Willem II in the Dutch Premier Division on Sunday.
Roberts, not yet a cemented starter, did the trick after his side was behind by
two goals.
The hosts looked odds-on to secure their first
victory of the season after goals
from Anouar Hadouir and Said Boutahar put them ahead.
But Charles Dissels reduced the deficit, before Roberts grabbed a point for the
away side when he fired home in the dying stages.
Sparta came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute but Dissels' shot
was well saved by Willem II goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.
And the home side then took the lead seven minutes later when Hadouir coolly
finished after being put through one-on-one with Sparta goalkeeper Cor
Varkevisser.
Willem II, who were now looking full of confidence, continued to push forward
and they doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute.
Hadouir turned provider and played in Boutahar, who made no mistake with a
powerful finish from the centre of the penalty area.
However, Sparta then grabbed a lifeline just before the interval when Dissels
fired home from close range after Arne Slot's teasing cross.
The away side started the second half strongly and Nourdin Boukhari's effort
forced a save from Vermeer.
But Willem II then missed a glorious opportunity to restore their two-goal
advantage when Mounir El Hamdaoui's shot cannoned back off the post.
Roberts wasted a chance to draw Sparta level soon after when his effort from
inside the penalty area was saved by Vermeer.
But he made up in the 89th minute when he lashed home from close range following
fellow substitute Marvin Emnes' cross.
Roberts will be featured in an upcoming edition of Football 07 after being
followed on location during T&T Under 17s recent training camp in Holland. The
weekly feature, produced by 20/20 productions airs in Sunday nights from 10pm on
CCN TV 6. (August 26, 2007)
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