In a confident and efficient manner, N.E.C. defeated relegation threatened De Graafschap 2-0 at Goffertstadion in match-day twenty-eight of the Eredivisie campaign. With the result, the Nijmegen side continue their assault for a spot in the Europa League playoffs, extending their undefeated run to six and find themselves locked in points with Roda in the all-important eighth spot.

From last weeks hard fought draw against NAC, Alex Pastoor made a single change to the N.E.C. starting eleven as he summoned Kevin Conboy in for Rémy Amieux. To the backdrop of their fans in full support, N.E.C. never showed a moment of hesitation and growing in confidence took the lead three minutes shy of the quarter-hour. Carved out via a superb challenge in the visitors final third, Lasse Schöne played a superb one-two before charging straight through the centre of the area and rifling the ball past goalkeeper Joost Terol. Midway of the half the complexion of the day began to change with tempers flaring that saw referee Ruud Bossen issue three yellow-cards. De Graafschap narrowly missed with the equaliser as Michael de Leeuw rasped an effort off the wood-wook but any chance the visitors had dissipated as Lion Kaak was sent off with a straight red-card.

At the re-start, Mr. Pastoor added Zoltán Szélesi for Nathaniël Will and with the personnel advantage N.E.C. enjoyed a dominating half that at times looked like a practice grounds attacking initiative. With wave after wave of N.E.C.’s attacks pouring forward, Gábor Babos was effectively a spectator and only the sublime work of Joost Terol maintained a respectable score-line. Showing his vast potential Leroy George began a series of piercing run including at the fifty-first minute before a last ditch challenge thwarted his effort. Moments later Kevin Conboy’s free-kick from twenty-four metres appeared destined for the net only to see Joost Terol stretch out completely to his left to push the ball to safety. N.E.C.’s advances broke through at the fifty-eighth minute Género Zeefuik latched onto Leroy George’s sumptuous long chip and fought off Jan-Paul Saeijs before doubling the advantage from the edge of the area. The contest was effectively fait accompli with Leroy George and Navarone Foor stopped by the in-form Joost Terol, who later denied Youri Loen Melvin Platje but nothing could take away from a brilliant day for N.E.C. as with the final whistle they claimed the 2-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2012
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N.E.C.’s short trip to Doetinchem in match-day five of the Eredivisie came up empty as Alex Pastoor’s men fell 1-0 to De Graafschap.

Returning from the international break, N.E.C. has been busy with the arrival of Krisztián Vadócz and Género Zeefuik. Coming off their most recent contest, victory over Heracles Almelo, Mr. Pastoor made two changes to his starting grid with Pavel Čmovš and Navarone Foor for Dammyano Grootfaam and Nick Van der Velden, with the new men taking a spot on the bench.

N.E.C. wasted no time pushing forward as not three minutes after the opening whistle Leroy George surged off the right flank before delivering a cross from the by-line intended for Melvin Platje but the cagey young striker could not get his shot off before the ball was cleared. Chances were sparing following the opening advances as the hosts clearly were focused upon shoring up their defending after being allowing ten goals in the opening four weeks. However at the twenty-third minute De Graafschap notched the contests decider as Soufian El Hassnaoui accepted the ball from Michael de Leeuw before moving the right side of the area and firing a low effort to the opposite corner of the net past goalkeeper Gábor Babos. Two minutes shy of the break Leroy George carved out a fine opening on the right but after contact with a defender, lashed out with a swipe of his boot and received a yellow-card rebuttal for the indiscretion.

At the re-start, with Netherlands U-21 star Género Zeefuik in for Leroy George, N.E.C. went in search of the equalizer but found chances at a premium. The hosts were showing a great niche on the right with fine crosses into the box yet Soufian El Hassnaoui and Michael de Leeuw nodded off-course, thus maintaining the single goal differential. Near the hour, the N.E.C. tactician looked for inspiration as he summoned Krisztián Vadócz in for Stefan Nijland yet the by-line of defensive minded contest remained intact. With fourteen minutes remaining, Krisztián Vadócz accepted the ball at the top of the area before sending his curling effort wide to the right of the woodwork. N.E.C. had one more chance to level but after Melvin Platje’s effort at the eighty-third minute from the top of the area flew over the cross De Graafschap hung on for the 1-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In a confident display, defending Eredivisie champions Ajax opened the campaign with a 4-1 victory over De Graafschap at De Vijverberg.

The early stages were trying for Ajax as their hosts had no intention of being a cushy start to the campaign and sent shockwaves back to Amsterdam when Ted Van de Pavert leapt high to nod in Sjoerd Overgoor’s corner from the right at the quarter-hour to give De Graafschap the 1-0 lead. However, that lead was short lived as Miralem Sulejmani latched onto the rebound of Gregory Van Der Wiel probing effort and quickly shuttled in past host goalkeeper Joost Terol from eight metres. Billowing with a champion’s bold tenacity, Ajax gritted its teeth and surged forward to take the lead they would not relinquish a minute past the half-hour mark. Coming via the Miralem Sulejmani’s handy-work, the Serbian international deftly played through Derk Boerrigter on the right channel with the twenty-four year-old striker who returned to Ajax from RKC Waalwijk sending the ball over the ‘keeper for an ice cold finish into the net. Moments later De Graafschap breathed a sigh of relief as Joost Terol stood tall to deny Siem De Jong from the spot after Yuri Rose was adjudged a handball penalty.

The hosts continued to fight the good fight after the break but after seeing an early effort come up for naught, the margin was doubled as Miralem Sulejmani was played through on a quick counter and ploughed the ball into the net from fifteen metres at the sixty-second minute. Three minutes later, Theo Janssen, who made the move to from Twente this past May, sent a delicious curling effort from twenty metres to seal Ajax’s impressive 4-1 triumphant start to the campaign.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved