Trainer Jean-Paul van Gastel changed his starting eleven in two places. Matthew Garbett and Aimé Omgba returned to the starting line-up. This was at the expense of Martin Koscelnik and Fredrik Oldrup Jensen, who had to settle for a place on the bench.
NAC had a false start. It was only the eighth minute when Sylvinho Esajas managed to give the visitors the lead. The midfielder suddenly appeared in front of Pepijn van de Merbel and left the goalkeeper without a chance: 0-1.
NAC looked for a quick answer and this seemed to work, were it not for the fact that former NAC player Gylermo Siereveld made a nice tackle that prevented Tom Boere from getting a shot.
After just over fifteen minutes of play, ADO Den Haag doubled the lead. Boyd Lucassen was tricked by Joel Ideho and tried to fight his way back into the game. According to the referee, he did this illegally and he pointed to the spot. Henk Veerman shot the penalty: 0-2.
Despite the early 0-2 deficit, NAC was not the underlying party in this phase. A shot by Garbett, which certainly looked like a goal, was saved from the intersection by goalkeeper Nick Marsman and moments later Aimé Omgba also failed to get the ball behind the goalkeeper after a one-on-one situation.
NAC also continued to look for the tying goal in the second half, but there was no luck. Deployments from Omgba and substitute Koscelnik just missed the mark. In minute 65 the Pearl of the South finally scored. Aimé Omgba worked a good cross from Roy Kuijpers behind the goalkeeper: 1-2!
NAC pushed towards the goal and created plenty of chances. Jean-Paul van Gastel’s team deserved more and ultimately got it. In minute 90, the good substitute Sigurd Haugen was brought into position. The striker had no doubts and worked the ball into the goal: 2-2!
NAC started looking for more, but it didn’t get that far. NAC must secure participation in the Play-Offs in the last match next week. This will have to happen in the final match with TOP Oss.
