By PA SportsTicker

VVV Venlo kept its Eredivisie survival hopes alive with a 9-8 penalty shootout win against ADO Den Haag in the second round of the promotion/relegation playoffs on Sunday.

Carrying a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, ADO held on until the 59th minute, when Edwin Linssen struck to level the tie.

That proved to be the only goal of the afternoon and the game went to penalties, with VVV ultimately triumphing in a marathon shootout to put itself within a match of protecting its top-flight status.

The victory was bittersweet for Venlo coach Andre Wetzel, who takes over at ADO next season.

In the next round, VVV will face RKC Waalwijk, who overturned a 1-0 deficit against MVV to progress, 2-1, on aggregate.

De Graafschap, the other Eredivisie side in the playoffs, found life somewhat easier in beating Helmond Sport, 3-1, to claim a 6-3 aggregate win. It will now play FC Zwolle, which saw off FC Den Bosch on away goals.

Updated on Sunday, May 4, 2008 5:11 pm, EDT

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