NEC just fell short against FC Twente on Saturday night. The Nijmegen team went down 1-2 at home. Kodai Sano was the goal scorer for Nijmegen.
Entertaining first half
There was no question of a tentative start in Nijmegen for either team, who were missing the necessary key players. On the Nijmegen side, the absence of Philippe Sandler and Koki Ogawa was visible. That cost NEC an early goal. After an individual action by Sayfallah Ltaief, he offered Sam Lammers an unmissable chance. The striker tapped in the 0-1 from close range.
The counter goal did not knock NEC off course, because the Nijmegen formation kept looking for the holes in the defense of FC Twente. That hole was found after a quarter of the game. Mees Hoedemakers opened up via the right side to Bart van Rooij, who then laid the ball on the head of Kodai Sano. The Japanese headed hard via the hand of goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall.
The equalizer was the starting signal for the Tukkers to step it up a notch and take matters more into their own hands. NEC got away with a corner kick, when the ball was headed against the crossbar twice and a VAR check (whether the ball had crossed the line on the first attempt) also turned out in NEC’s favor.
Another early disappointment
The visitors also scored quickly in the second half. After another dangerous corner, Alec van Hoorenbeeck headed in easily from an unmarked position. After FC Twente’s new lead, NEC was allowed to make the game, but hardly any big chances were created.
The Nijmegeners tried to squeeze out a final offensive with the necessary fresh forces. That worked quite well and Twente was pushed back considerably, but Unnerstall’s goal was not really under fire. Robin Roefs saved NEC from a bigger defeat with a brave save in injury time.
The defeat is a major disappointment for the combative NEC, who are waiting for the away match against AZ next week. Kick-off on Saturday evening in Alkmaar is at 20:00.
Score progression
8. Sam Lammers 0-1
28. Kodai Sano 1-1
54. Alec van Hoorenbeeck 1-2
NEC line-up: Roefs; Önal (62. Olden Larsen), Ouaissa, Sano
