FC Twente, runners-up in the 2008-09 season, did what they had to do to earn a 0-2 victory at Sparta in the city of Rotterdam.
After an uneventful start, Twente took the lead in the 18th minute. A cross from Kenneth Perez was misjudged by keeper Seliga and Blaise Nkufo stood in the right place to take advantage.
Steve McClaren's side was never really troubled by the home side and doubled their advantage 12 minutes after the break, as new Costa Rica signing Bryan Ruiz' effort went in off the crossbar.
Just under ten thousand spectators at Sparta-Stadium watched as their team lacked the skills to find their way past the solid Twente defense. Distance shots, which appeared to be Sparta's only weapon, formed no threat to keeper Sander Boschker.