NEC suffered a 2-0 defeat at PSV in the fifth round of the Eredivisie. A red card for Kodai Sano and two goals from the home team in the first fifteen minutes of the match meant that it never became a real match in Eindhoven.
Early disappointments
Supported by almost a thousand Nijmegeners in the away section, NEC started the match quite well. With a dribble over the back line, Başar Önal created the first danger. The away supporters present could not hope for a good result in Eindhoven for long. After nine minutes, Kodai Sano brought down Guus Til, who had broken through, in the penalty area. Referee Dennis Higler showed a red card and NEC had to continue with ten men.
After Luuk de Jong took advantage of the golden opportunity, Rogier Meijer immediately intervened. Koki Ogawa was sacrificed and had to make way for Mees Hoedemakers to restore order in midfield. That did not yield much at first: a few minutes later, Guus Til doubled the lead for the reigning national champions. After fifteen minutes of football, the match seemed to be over.
Debuting goalkeeper
NEC changed formation and remained relatively easy on their feet for the remainder of the first half, except for a barrage of shots in the last minutes before half-time. The game pattern in the second half was no different: NEC was pushed back and forced to hold back.
Stijn van Gassel, the replacement for Robin Roefs, who returned injured from Jong Oranje, was the star of the Nijmegen tricolour team in the Philips Stadium. The debuting goalkeeper made great saves on attempts by De Jong, Richard Ledezma and Joey Veerman.
Support
Even with substitute Ivan Márquez and debuting Lefteris Lyratzis, NEC continued to work hard to keep the score from being too big. The away fans supported the club for ninety minutes and saw that the score did not change: the two early goals against meant the final score was 2-0.
Next weekend, Meijer’s men will get the chance to get their revenge. Saturday night at 21:00, Heracles Almelo will visit the Goffert Stadium. NEC will certainly have to do without Sano in that match, who will be suspended after his red card.
Score progression
9. Kodai Sano rode kaart
11. Luuk de Jong 1-0 (pen.)
16. Guus To 2-0
NEC line-up: Van Gassel; Pereira, Sandler (59. Márquez), Nuytinck, Verdonk; Proper, Rober (60. Ouaissa), Sano; Önal (60. Hansen), Ogawa (13. Hoedemakers), Ouwejan (76. Lyratzis)
