NOS Voetbal•yesterday, 2:09 PM•Adjusted yesterday, 10:26 PM
View the summary of Vitesse – NEC
Vitesse suffered a bitter defeat against NEC. The Arnhem team, who are fighting relegation, were the superior party for a long time, but ultimately lost 0-3.
The match was stopped for a few minutes after the second Nijmegen goal due to a torch thrown onto the field.
NOS
It was the first time in eight Gelderland derbies that Vitesse lost to NEC. And Edward Sturing’s team desperately needed the points. With five games to go, Vitesse is in seventeenth place.
To avoid direct relegation, a five-point gap on number sixteen Excelsior must be closed.
Moussa not in selection
At Vitesse, Anis Hadj Moussa was missing from the match selection. Sturing had already spoken critically about the attacker on Friday, shortly after it was announced that Hadj Moussa will leave for Feyenoord after this season. The Algerian was ill before the match against NEC, Vitesse reported.
Watch Edward Sturing’s response below and an excerpt from Studio Voetbal about Vitesse:
The opening phase in the Gelredome, which looked quite empty due to the lack of away fans, was for Vitesse. Jasper Cillessen was put to work twice in the first ten minutes and the NEC goalkeeper once again showed that he is in top form. His save from a hard shot by Melle Meulensteen was especially impressive.
The home team continued to attack at full speed, giving NEC some space for a counter. In this way, Lars Olden Larsen, among others, became dangerous, but his shot went straight at Vitesse goalkeeper Eloy Room.
Furthermore, the people of Nijmegen did not show much. NEC, which is in good shape to reach the play-offs for European football, played tamely and took little initiative in the first half. Sloppy loss of ball on NEC’s side resulted in another chance for Paxten Aaronson, who shot the ball hard past the goal.
NEC festively welcomed after victory over Vitesse and fifth place in the Premier League
Aaronson also had the 1-0 after the break, but this time there was not much power behind his shot, making it a prey for Cillessen.
Against proportions
Against the odds, NEC took the lead in Arnhem after more than an hour. Mees Hoedemakers got the ball at his feet and hit mercilessly. Room had no chance on the midfielder’s bet (0-1).
Vitesse then looked dejected. The home team recovered, but was dealt the final blow more than ten minutes before the end of regular playing time. Sontje Hansen shot the ball nicely into the intersection (0-2).
It led to great frustration among the Vitesse fans. A flare landed on the field, temporarily halting the match. After a short interruption, NEC also made it 0-3. Once again it was Hansen who scored.
