NEC was quite a bit too big for Heracles Almelo at home on Saturday evening. Against all odds, Heracles took the lead at halftime. This was convincingly erased in the second act with a double by Koki Ogawa and a goal by Tjaronn Chery: 3-1.
The guests from Almelo got off to the best start in a sold-out Goffert Stadium. Already in the third minute, striker Jizz Hornkamp headed the ball from close range behind Jasper Cillessen. NEC did not give up and immediately had enormous opportunities for a quick equalizer, but Sontje Hansen did not benefit from a back pass that was too short and Mees Hoedemakers saw his effort turned away by goalkeeper Michael Brouwer.
Rain of opportunity
Completely against the odds, Heracles Almelo thought they would double their lead, if it weren’t for the VAR finding offside in the run-up to former NEC player Jordy Bruijn’s goal. What followed was a rain of opportunities for the people of Nijmegen. Dirk Proper headed over the goal from close range and onto the hands of Michael Brouwer and Koki Ogawa’s double attempt from close range was also unsuccessful. It was a miracle that NEC did not score a goal before the half-time signal.
Rogier Meijer’s men came out of the locker room fantastic. A few minutes after halftime, Ogawa scored a penalty, which the Japanese himself knew what to do with: 1-1. Heracles Almelo had its back against the wall and was pushed back further and further by NEC. This quickly led to the deserved lead for the Nijmegen team. A delicate cross from Sontje Hansen was neatly headed in by Ogawa again.
Free kick
Supported by the spectators present, NEC went on the hunt for more goals. The decision of the game fell in minute 66. Referee Marc Nagtegaal pointed to the spot again, but the foul on Hansen turned out to be outside the penalty area. Tjaronn Chery, who scored on his debut against Go Ahead Eagles last week, shot the ensuing free kick against the ropes with some good fortune.
The Nijmegen team played the game expertly. Sylla Sow, attracted by NEC on the last day of the transfer window, was allowed to make his debut amid loud applause. Thanks to the victory over Heracles Almelo, the unbeaten run in the competition is extended to seven games.
NEC will be in action again next Tuesday at 8 p.m.: ADO Den Haag will visit the Goffert Stadium in the quarter-finals of the TOTO KNVB Cup.
Score progression
3. Jizz Hornkamp 0-1
51. Koki Ogawa 1-1 (pen.)
59. Koki Ogawa 2-1
66. Tjaronn Chery 3-1
NEC lineup: Cillessen; Van Rooij, Sandler, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hoedemakers (80. Yvandro), Chery (89. Gonzalez) , Proper; Sano, Koki (85. Olden Larsen), Hansen (85. Sow)
BLOX Man of the Match: Koki Ogawa