After a 2-2 draw at home, Go Ahead Eagles faces a tough challenge in the second leg when they travel to De Graafschap's home ground.
This result could disrupt their chances of promotion, especially after conceding two goals at home.
To secure promotion, they need to win in this tense away match.
The situation in the league is becoming more intense, and fans of all teams can feel the immense pressure.
Arghana has only played as a substitute in the last two consecutive weekend matches.
In total, he only played 50 minutes and registered one assist.
Previously, he had been a starter in five consecutive matches and had endured a tight schedule with two matches in one week, which drained him physically.
However, the last two weeks gave him time to refresh and recover.
Full of energy and fighting spirit, Arghana was always the first player to arrive at Go Ahead Eagles' training ground every day. He also showed an outstanding and active performance during the training sessions.
Aside from his extraordinary performance in the first five matches, Eric Ten Haag began to see another side of this player that stood out.
His fighting spirit, different from other players, had a positive impact on the team.
Undeniably, in his first five matches, Arghana struggled to play freely.
Perhaps due to his lack of experience, he had difficulty finding his rhythm. Or maybe, he had lost his confidence because of the immense mental pressure.
However, in the last two games as a substitute, he started adapting to the game.
Now, he could read the flow of the match more calmly, find his rhythm, appear in the right positions, and contribute maximally to the team.
In the last two games, Eric Ten Haag used Arghana as a super-sub, but now he felt this was no longer necessary.
The reason was, in the last two games, the attacking line-up, filled by Marnix Kolder and Joran Pot, still hadn't shown the expected performance as first-choice players.
Whether Arghana would return as a starter or remain as a trusted substitute, Eric Ten Haag had made a decision.
In the next playoff round, Arghana would return to Go Ahead Eagles' starting lineup!
===
The atmosphere at De Vijverberg stadium was scorching.
Thousands of De Graafschap supporters filled the stands, putting immense pressure on the visiting team.
Pieter Huistra realized that his team had to play with high discipline and take advantage of every opportunity.
On the other hand, Jan Vreman instructed his team to play more aggressively from the start to make the most of the full support from the fans.
Guyon Philips, one of Go Ahead Eagles' main strikers who had just recovered from injury, still had to see how his physical condition would hold up.
The team had little time to bring his performance back to match fitness. The second leg of the final playoff was about to start.
Arghana returned to the starting lineup after several games in which he had only appeared as a substitute.
===
In the locker room before the match, the coaching staff motivated the players.
Assistant coach Dennis Demmers approached Arghana, hugged him briefly, and then patted his shoulder, speaking in a deep voice, "A player always experiences ups and downs in performance.
After the five magical games you had, it's normal to go through a transition period to adjust again.
But I think that phase is over. You're getting better every day."
Arghana nodded confidently.
Dennis Demmers continued, "There is no sharp spike in your play—one bad moment that frustrates people, then suddenly so extraordinary that I want to kneel and watch you.
That's a good sign! Arghana, you're improving, you can feel it, right?"
Arghana nodded again with full conviction.
Dennis Demmers smiled and then said firmly, "I believe in you. You're not just any player.
You are our secret weapon to conquer the opponent!
Stay calm on the field, and don't hesitate to seize every opportunity when it arises!
Destroy every obstacle in front of you!"
Arghana clenched his fist, his confidence growing stronger.
In his heart, he said to himself, "I can do this!"
===
The players entered the field, and about 6,000 spectators filled the stadium, chanting their support for De Graafschap.
The atmosphere of the stadium heavily favored the home team.
Go Ahead Eagles supporters knew they were in a crucial phase in this second leg of the playoffs.
The five consecutive positive results Arghana had brought previously gave great hope.
However, the two consecutive draws made them slightly worried, especially with De Graafschap also having similar results.
"Is this a sign?" thought the supporters. "The chance is still there, hope is not lost!"
On the other hand, De Graafschap's team came with burning determination.
After the 2-2 draw in the first leg at Go Ahead Eagles' home, they realized that this match would determine everything.
They would not surrender the victory easily and were ready to fight to the end for a promotion ticket.
When the match began, De Graafschap applied a defensive strategy and relied on quick counterattacks.
They were ready to fight fiercely on their home ground.
Arghana, from the first minute, showed his fighting spirit.
He was the most active player in the front line, dropping back to help defend, and ensuring the attack kept going with safe passes.
Every time the team approached the opponent's penalty box, he moved quickly, looking for gaps, creating opportunities, or drawing the attention of defenders so that his teammates had more space.
Although Go Ahead Eagles continued to press, De Graafschap's defense was very solid. The first half ended 0-0.
After the break, the match continued to heat up.
However, in the 63rd minute, De Graafschap scored through a quick counterattack!
Go Ahead Eagles' main defender, who had received a red card in the previous match, left the defense slightly vulnerable.
Substitute defender, Jop van der Linden, lost focus at a crucial moment, and that was enough for De Graafschap to capitalize on the opportunity.
The stadium fell silent.
Go Ahead Eagles supporters started to feel anxious. A loss in this match could bury their promotion dream.
However, coach Eric Ten Haag remained standing on the sidelines, clapping his hands, trying to inject enthusiasm into his team.
He wouldn't give up so easily!
De Graafschap began to play more defensively after taking the lead, trying to preserve their advantage until the end of the match.
They wanted to end Go Ahead Eagles' promotion journey.
Go Ahead Eagles increased the intensity of their attacks.
They kept attacking from various sides, trying to create chances.
However, the crosses into the penalty box were difficult for the strikers to reach, and long shots from Deniz Türüç and Quincy Promes missed the target.
===
Time kept ticking.
In the 76th minute, the scoreboard still showed a 1-0 lead for De Graafschap.
Go Ahead Eagles needed at least one goal to keep their hopes alive for the playoff final.
But time was running out, and the pressure was growing.
Arghana, who had been running tirelessly throughout the match, started to feel exhaustion with every step.
His breath was heavy, his legs were getting slower, but his mind kept searching for a gap.
In the stands, the roar of the home fans grew louder.
They kept singing, mocking every touch from Go Ahead Eagles' players, mentally pressuring the visiting team.
Arghana knew that if they lost here, their promotion dreams would vanish.
As Go Ahead Eagles launched another attack, Arghana crossed the ball into the penalty box.
The ball was cleared by De Graafschap's defender, and Arghana quickly ran back to defend.
But as he prepared for an aerial duel in the penalty area, everything suddenly felt different.
The stadium lights seemed brighter, the sounds of the crowd felt farther away, and the space in the penalty box appeared clearer to him.
His heavy breath suddenly felt lighter, his tense muscles relaxed, yet his reflexes grew sharper.
Arghana felt something familiar—a sensation that had emerged in a previous match.
In the exhaustion that almost made him collapse, his mind became even more focused.
In his mind, he no longer heard the roar of the crowd.
What remained was the ball, the opponent's movements, and the space opening up in front of his eyes.
His instincts as a forward were stronger than ever.
De Graafschap was preparing to block the next attack, but Arghana had already started to move, looking for any gap, no matter how small, to create an opportunity.
That moment had arrived again.