Cambuur Leeuwarden secures promotion to Eredivisie alongside ADO Den Haag

The Tuesday fixture on the road against FC Emmen marked Cambuur Leeuwardens second opportunity to lock in promotion to the Eredivisie. The previous Friday saw the Frisians host Jong AZ, leading 3-2 right up to the 86th minute. Yet they let the advantage slip when Remco Balk handed away a penalty after pulling off a save much like Luis Suarezs, with Yoel van den Ban slotting it home via a double touch. Bendeguz Kovacz clinched victory for Jong AZ moments later with a thrilling volley in the 94th minute, robbing Cambuur of a swift promotion.

Cambuur burst into action, grabbing a three-goal advantage in under 25 minutes through Ichim Ferrah and Fabian Kvam, the latter netting twice in rapid succession. FC Emmen responded with a goal prior to half-time courtesy of Romano Postema, only to ship a fourth shortly into the second half as Ferrah claimed his brace with a precise strike to the near post from afar. Freddy Quispels belated effort proved mere footnote stats, while Cambuur personnel and supporters revelled in their ascent back to the Netherlands premier division.

Cambuur had last competed in the Eredivisie back in 2022, suffering relegation two seasons following their second-division championship triumph. The Leeuwarden group advanced to the promotion playoffs the prior campaign, though they bowed out in the opening stage after FC Den Bosch prevailed in extra time during the return fixture.

Henk de Jong etched his name into Dutch football lore as the inaugural manager to earn Eredivisie promotion thrice with one club. The affable Frisian tactician further guided Cambuur to Keuken Kampioen Divisie crowns in both 2013 and 2021.

Cambuurs lock on a top-two berth means a playoff position now falls to the ninth-ranked side in the Keuken Kampioen Divisies ultimate rankings. By capturing the second period honours, Cambuur had long since booked their playoff passage, and with Jong PSV barred as an Under-21 outfit, FC Den Bosch effectively possess a playoff berth.

Playoffs kick off Tuesday, April 28th. The decider, pitting the 16th in the Eredivisie against the challengers, unfolds over two matches on May 20th and 23rd.