Excelsior Rotterdam claimed a vital derby victory by defeating city rivals Sparta with a late goal. Marinus Dijkhuizen's side scored in the dying minutes to secure a 2-1 win at Het Kasteel, as reported by Tribal Football.

This win arrives at a good time for the Kralingers, who currently sit ninth in the Eredivisie with six points from three matches. The team has two wins and one loss, with a recent form of WLW. In the league, Excelsior has scored seven goals and conceded three, giving them a goal difference of plus four. They trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by six points.

How did the match against Sparta unfold?

The derby started evenly with both teams creating chances. Sparta took the lead, but Excelsior fought back to equalize. A tense second half saw the match remain balanced until the final moments. An Excelsior player then netted the decisive goal, sparking celebrations among the travelling fans. The victory highlights the team's fighting spirit, often earning points late in games.

Manager Marinus Dijkhuizen was pleased with his players' mentality afterwards. "The boys never gave up and got their reward," the coach said. The win builds confidence for the coming weeks, which feature a busy schedule. Fans can check the full fixtures list to see upcoming matches.

What does this win mean for the standings?

The three points from the derby are crucial for the league position. Excelsior climbs to ninth place, keeping pace with the Eredivisie's mid-table pack. The team now has six points, level with several direct rivals. The current standings show a tightly packed league where every victory matters.

A return of seven goals in three matches is a positive sign for the attacking line. Defensively, the team has also been solid, conceding only three times. These statistics are available on the club's detailed stats page.

What's next for Excelsior?

Attention now quickly turns to the next challenge. Excelsior travels to Tilburg for an away match against Willem II on Saturday, September 5th. Willem II currently sits 15th in the table and will be a tough opponent at home. It's an opportunity for Excelsior to continue their positive run and pick up more points.

A win there could solidify their position in the top half. Excelsior Rotterdam's squad for this season can be viewed on the official squad page. The match against Willem II kicks off at 20:00.