After a week of rest, Go Ahead Eagles traveled to Helmond Sport's home for the second leg of the play-off.
Before the match began, the coaching staff gave the final motivational talk in the locker room.
This was a crucial match for promotion! With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Go Ahead Eagles only needed to maintain their lead or score more goals to secure a spot in the next round.
However, Helmond Sport was not a team to be underestimated, especially with the full support of their fans at home.
Arghana sat on the bench, watching the game closely.
The team's main attacking trio consisted of Marnix Kolder, Lion Kaak, and Guyon Philips.
As a substitute, his role was not just to wait for his turn to play but to read the game carefully.
Go Ahead Eagles started the match aggressively.
Lion Kaak and Guyon Philips, who had just returned from suspension, showed great teamwork.
Kaak managed to meet a cross from Philips and flicked the ball into Helmond Sport's goal!
Go Ahead Eagles led 1-0 in the away game!
The entire team cheered, while Arghana stood from the bench and clapped.
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However, Helmond Sport did not give up easily. They began to take control of the game with more organized attacks.
Towards the end of the first half, their midfield managed to break down Go Ahead Eagles' defense. A powerful shot from Luis Silva hit the bottom left corner of the goal, equalizing the score at 1-1.
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The first half ended, and both teams returned to the locker room for a brief evaluation.
In the second half, Helmond Sport continued to dominate.
They took advantage of their home-field advantage to pressure Go Ahead Eagles' defense. Meanwhile, the visitors tried to rely on quick counter-attacks.
As the match entered the 70th minute and the score was still tied, coach Eric Ten Haag walked over to the bench. "Arghana, warm up!"
Without hesitation, Arghana sprinted from the bench and began warming up on the sidelines.
The eyes of the home supporters were on him.
They knew this young striker had scored six goals in the last five matches.
Helmond Sport didn't want to let him score.
In the 72nd minute, a substitution was made.
Marnix Kolder was taken off, and Arghana came on to replace him. Helmond Sport's coach, Correa, immediately gave instructions to their defender, Sequeira.
The defender nodded firmly.
He knew what he had to do.
Helmond Sport continued to control the game, creating some dangerous chances, but their finishing wasn't sharp enough.
Meanwhile, Go Ahead Eagles struggled to develop their attacks.
Lion Kaak and Guyon Philips were tightly guarded, limiting their movement.
In the 77th minute,
a chance came.
Kaak received the ball in the center and passed it to the left, where Arghana was waiting.
As he controlled the ball, Arghana was immediately pressured by Sequeira.
Instead of trying to dribble past him, Arghana opted to make a diagonal pass to Deniz Türüç in midfield.
But the pass was intercepted before reaching its target!
As Arghana sprinted to help defend, Sequeira approached him and said mockingly, "I heard you're great, but you better stay quiet today.
I don't want to hurt you."
The words were clearly a threat.
Arghana didn't respond. He just ran back to help his team defend.
Coach Eric Ten Haag remained calm on the sidelines. He trusted Arghana.
This young player always performed sharper in the final minutes.
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Three minutes later, Go Ahead Eagles had a counter-attack opportunity.
Deniz Türüç sent a through pass to the left, where Arghana ran to meet the ball.
But before he could dribble further, Sequeira made a harsh tackle!
Arghana fell, and the ball went out of play.
As he got up, he heard Sequeira whisper, "Don't make me play rough."
Arghana glared at him. The opposing defender was five years older than him.
In a low voice, Arghana replied, "If you can, just hit me now."
Sequeira only smiled cynically, but his gaze was filled with tension.
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In the 82nd minute,
Arghana felt something was off. Usually, this was when he would have his magical moment.
In the 86th minute, he tried a one-two combination with Lion Kaak, but it was offside!
Arghana began to feel frustrated.
Helmond Sport continued to press but failed to score any additional goals.
The normal time was up, and they entered injury time.
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In the 92nd minute,
Helmond Sport lost the ball in the front. Go Ahead Eagles immediately launched a counter-attack.
Robertson received the ball and sent a long diagonal pass toward Arghana!
But Sequeira, who ran back quickly, immediately fouled Arghana, sending him out of bounds.
The whistle blew.
The referee showed a yellow card to Sequeira.
Arghana got up with a sore shoulder, but he didn't want to lose the momentum.
This was the team's last chance to attack with a set-piece.
Go Ahead Eagles took the free kick, but no significant opportunities were created.
The ball was cleared by Helmond Sport's defense.
Soon after, the final whistle blew.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
With this result, Go Ahead Eagles maintained a 3-2 aggregate lead and advanced to the next round!
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In the locker room, Arghana sat quietly with his head lowered.
Some of his teammates patted his shoulder, thinking he was disappointed for failing to score a goal.
But what was on his mind was something else.
Had the luck that had been with him all this time run out?
Was his magical moment over?
With a deep breath, Arghana lifted his head and stared straight ahead.
If there was no more help from luck, then he would have to fight with his own abilities!
At least, this "miracle" had helped him secure a professional contract.
His journey in Europe had just begun.