Head coach Carl Hoefkens changes his starting line-up from a week ago by one position. Raul Paula gets the chance to show himself from the kick-off after his good substitution. A somewhat more attacking style of play is chosen, which means that Casper Staring has to settle for a place on the bench.
NAC starts well against the Domstedelingen. Right from the kick-off, they force Utrecht to retreat and through Ómarsson they also create a good chance. The Icelander’s header disappears just wide of the goal via a defender.
The first chance for the visitors comes in the fifteenth minute. David Min gets his head on the ball after a good cross. His effort goes a few meters wide of Bielica’s goal.
After the header chance, Ron Jans’ team takes over the initiative in the match and comes closer to the Breda goal. Ole Romeny does not get the ball past Bielica and NAC does not really get into trouble.
As the first half progresses, NAC starts thinking about attacking again and this is rewarded. A fantastic ball from Dominik Janošek ends up at the far post with Boyd Lucassen. He doesn’t hesitate and shoots the ball into the far corner: 1-0!
NAC is defensively well organized again. It allows Utrecht to have the ball, but gives little away. On the other hand, NAC can occasionally be dangerous. After an hour of play, the post is hit from a good corner kick by Janošek and a little later Ómarsson shoots the ball from the second line just past the wrong side of the post.
The defense is solid, but Carl Hoefkens’ team still has to be careful. The lead is minimal and Utrecht starts to deliver some pinpricks towards the final phase.
With twenty minutes to go, the very busy Dominik Janošek takes aim at the goal from a great distance. Goalkeeper Barkas can barely save the Czech’s shot and thus prevents a doubling of the lead.
For a long time, NAC seemed to be heading for a victory. Until injury time arrived. The injury time was disastrous for NAC. First, Lars Mol received a red card after a heavy charge, and then things started to move quickly. Ohio scored the equalizer in the 91st and 95th minute, and the winning goal for Ron Jans’ team. An unfortunate coincidence caused NAC to lose control of the match.
‘Wij gaan niet staan’ sings around the Rat Verlegh Stadium. The ‘Yellow Army’ is proud of their team despite the defeat. Next week NAC will visit Heerenveen in search of the second victory of the season. Tickets for this match are available via NACtickets.nl.
