Supporters of Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade stormed the pitch as their side beat Cambuur 2-0 at home on Friday in the penultimate round of the league.
A win that fans and players alike believed meant second place was secured. Which would give them a place in the top division Eredivisie next season.
Equalized in the 95th minute
But the happiness was short-lived.
Third-placed Groningen had been trailing against Telstar until the 95th minute when Thom van Bergen equalized at 1-1.
The discouraging message did not reach the Roda JC Kerkrade supporters until they were already out on the field celebrating “promotion”.
STORMED THE FIELD: The Roda JC Kerkrade players and supporters celebrated before the depressing news came. Photo: NTB / Shutterstock.
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– Can always go wrong
What caused even more confusion was that Telstar went up 2-1, but the goal was disallowed.
Despite this, Roda JC Kerkrade speaker Wim Frijns shouted that the goal had been approved.
– The players came out of the dressing room. Suddenly everyone started cheering and jumping. Then someone said to me: “Telstar scored a goal”. There were people crying next to me, players coming out, and everyone celebrating. Then I thought: This is how it must be. The stadium exploded, Frijns explains to Voetbal International.
Wild scenes
– A little later I heard that the goal was cancelled. I’ve been doing this for decades and I’m only human. Something can always go wrong.
Roda JC Kerkrade and Groningen meet in the last league round on 10 May at Euroborg Stadion.
Roda JC Kerkrade only need one point to secure promotion.
