NEC did not get what it deserved in the penultimate round of the Eredivisie against Feyenoord. The guests returned home to Rotterdam with a 2-3 victory. The goals on the Nijmegen side came from Kodai Sano and Sontje Hansen. Due to the defeat, NEC can no longer immediately qualify for European football, but Rogier Meijer’s team will play the play-offs.
In the penultimate match of the Eredivisie season, the repeat of the TOTO KNVB Cup final was on the programme. Three weeks ago, the Rotterdam team grabbed the pine cone by beating NEC in De Kuip 1-0. This time, partly out of necessity, coach Meijer sent many other names onto the field against Feyenoord. His team started the game in the sunny Goffert Stadium with a clear plan.
Feyenoord often had the ball, NEC mainly tried to become dangerous via the counter. After some testing on both sides in the opening minutes, the Nijmegen tricolor, thanks to the strong playing Tjaronn Chery, had a number of opportunities. The playmaker was able to take a shot from the edge of the penalty area three times in the first half, but none of his attempts ended up between the goal posts.
Opening goal
Feyenoord goalie Justin Bijlow was also not tested for Kodai Sano’s shot. On the other hand, Jasper Cillessen had to take action. Yankuba Minteh sprinted through the center of the field to the goal of the 35-year-old closing post, who tapped the ball from the top right corner. On the stroke of half time, Cillessen was unable to respond to a bet from Calvin Stengs. The Feyenoord midfielder dribbled in and shot into the short corner.
Supporters in the Goffert Stadium were left without eyes and ears at the start of the second half. Sylla Sow missed a huge opportunity after fifteen seconds. His fellow striker Sano scored a minute later. With a fantastic blast from distance, the Japanese left Bijlow without a chance in the right corner and got the audience on the benches. That festive spirit soon disappeared in Nijmegen.
Red card
Captain Bram Nuytinck pulled the emergency brake in the 49th minute and was given a red card after a foul on striker Ayase Ueda. Feyenoord almost immediately benefited from the surplus: Yankuba Minteh gave the guests a 1-2 lead. NEC fought for what it was worth. Cillessen kept his team in the match and saw that the Nijmegen team also continued to offer a good offensive match.
Calvin Verdonk, Chery and Mees Hoedemakers were close to the equalizer. It came ten minutes before the end after a golden substitution from Meijer. With one of his first touches of the ball, Sontje Hansen passed two Feyenoorders and pushed the ball into the goal under Bijlow. NEC then gave everything to keep the three points at home. The good play of the Nijmegen tricolor was not rewarded: Ueda shot Feyenoord to victory in the end.
Ajax’s victory over Almere City (3-0) means that the Nijmegen season is extended. Fifth place is no longer feasible, so Meijer’s men have been sentenced to the play-offs for European football. NEC will play the semi-finals in the Goffert Stadium on Thursday, May 23, but first of all the Premier League season will end next Sunday at 2:30 PM in Almere.
Score progression
45. Calvin Stengs 0-1
47. Kodai Sano 1-1
57. Yankuba Minteh 1-2
80. Sontje Hansen 2-2
87. Ayase Ueda 2-3
Red card: 49. Bram Nuytinck (NEC)
Line-up NEC: Cillessen; Pereira, Ross (79. Hansen), Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hoedemakers (79. Schöne), Chery, Proper (71. Koki); González, Sow (51. Baas), Sano
