The 2012-13 campaign was a tense, dramatic fight for Roda JC as Koempels finished a perilous 16th in the Eredivisie, forcing them into the nerve-wracking relegation play-offs. The club ultimately secured its top-flight status thanks to the heroics of Mark-Jan Fledderus, whose late free-kick winner against Sparta Rotterdam proved decisive in the final play-off match. Leading the charge throughout the desperate campaign was the Syrian forward Sanharib Malki, whose crucial 17 league goals anchored the attack and were vital in the successful battle to avoid the drop.