TOP Oss ended the season tonight with a creditable point against NAC Breda: 1-1. For a moment it looked like the people of Breda would take the win through Aime Omgba, but substitute Joshua Zimmerman scored the equalizer on behalf of TOP Oss. Because of this draw, TOP Oss ends the season in 18th place, one place above rival FC Den Bosch.
Compared to the big defeat at the Herdgang – one week earlier – Ruud Brood decided to change his team in three places. Xander Lambrix and Lars Nieuwpoort – both of whom were not there at all tonight – did not appear on the scoresheet this time, nor did Delano Ladan. Their places were taken by Konstantinos Doumtsios, Jonathan Mulder and Sven Zitman
Both teams entered the (artificial) turf in the Frans Heesen Stadium under a lovely spring sun, after which referee Clay Ruperti blew the whistle to start the match around 8:00 PM. However, the opening phase was not really exciting. Both teams seemed to feel each other out for a while before really looking for their way towards the enemy goal. Only after about twenty minutes of football did the first (small) chances emerge. Once TOP Oss was close to a goal and twice the people of Breda seemed to become offensively dangerous, but all without result. After half an hour of football, however, it was NAC Breda that managed to open the score. A low cross from the left was shot in by Aime Omgba: 0-1. Ten minutes later the score was almost level again. It was left back Jonathan Mulder who decided to take a swing from about 25 meters away. However, his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Van de Merbel. This was also the last achievement of the first half, which meant that both teams went to halftime with an equal score. Ruud Brood decided to make one substitution at halftime. Konstantinos Doumtsios stayed behind in the locker room, at the expense of Joshua Zimmerman. This exchange also paid off immediately. After just five minutes of football, the brand new substitute scored. Joshua Zimmerman was able to tap in a cross from the right from close range: 1-1! After this, both teams retreated a bit and fewer chances were scored. Halfway through the second half, it was Karim Loukili who was close to taking the lead, but saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper. Both teams tried to force something in the remainder of the second half, but this did not result in many highlights. A draw was therefore the logical end result
The 2023-2024 season comes to an end, with an eighteenth place as the end result. Thank you for your unconditional support and hopefully see you next season!