NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 16:24
View the summary of FC Utrecht-NEC
The sub-topper between FC Utrecht and NEC, two teams that are aiming for a place in the play-offs for European football, ended 1-0 in the Galgenwaard. Expensive damage for the Nijmegen team who are also eyeing fifth place, where Ajax now stands.
NEC had won the home game 3-0 in September, but the goalscorers of that time were missing in the Cathedral City: the sold Magnus Mattsson, the injured Dirk Proper and Bas Dost recovering from an inflamed heart muscle.
Gliding dive
It was not noticeable in the tame first half that there was a lot at stake. The first excitement took no less than half an hour and was the responsibility of the guests. Calvin Verdonk forced goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas to dive with a free kick just outside the penalty area.
ANPSam Lammers beats goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen against the grain
The second chance also went to NEC, which started the game without injured pacer Tjaronn Chery. Sontje Hansen advanced and found Koki Ogawa, who aimed inaccurately. The home team had not yet managed to fire on the enemy goal once by the time half time arrived.
Contrarian
That changed immediately after the restart. Within a few minutes, NEC closing post Jasper Cillessen had to respond to a bet from Can Bozdogan and a shot from Othman Boussaid extended with the heel by substitute Ryan Flamingo.
The third opportunity was successful. Sam Lammers started the attack and moments later turned Souffian El Karouani’s cross behind Cillessen: 1-0. Lammers three times and substitute Victor Jensen twice failed to increase the margin to two goals.
That almost broke the Utrecht team, were it not for Barkas’ save from Sylla Sow’s slider.