Ogawa Double Leads NEC to Commanding 3-1 Victory Over Sparta

Fourth-placed NEC Nijmegen secured a commanding 3-1 victory over tenth-placed Sparta Rotterdam at the Goffertstadion. The hosts controlled proceedings from early on, building a comfortable lead before Sparta managed a consolation goal in the final stages.

Koki Ogawa opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner, assisted by Sami Ouaissa. NEC doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time when Ogawa converted a penalty with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner in the 45th minute plus six minutes of added time. The hosts extended their lead five minutes into the second half as Sami Ouaissa headed home from very close range to the top right corner, with Bryan Linssen providing the assist with a headed pass. Sparta finally responded in the 65th minute when Tobias Lauritsen fired a left-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Joshua Kitolano.

NEC controlled possession with 51.6 percent of the ball and registered seven shots on target compared to Sparta's five. The hosts created 19 total attempts while limiting Sparta to 13, with NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz making three saves to preserve the victory.

The match flow heavily favoured the home side, who established early dominance and maintained control throughout both halves. NEC's clinical finishing in key moments proved decisive, while Sparta struggled to create clear-cut opportunities until the final quarter of the match. The visitors showed more urgency after falling three goals behind but could not mount a meaningful comeback despite late pressure.