N.E.C.’s return from the international break ended in disappointment as the Nijmegen side fell 2-1 to Roda JC in week thirteen of the Eredivisie at Goffertstadion. With the result, N.E.C. sits fifteenth in the table, four points above De Graafschap in the relegation zone and now look ahead to next weeks clash against Ajax.

With two consecutive victories under their belt, N.E.C. manager Alex Pastoor maintained the same starting eleven that had done so well against Feyenoord in the most recent contest. The opening half was spirited as both sides were not shy going forward with Nick van der Velden sending a notable effort wide of the woodwork and with the final touch was lacking the contest went to the break with deadlock intact.

After the break, N.E.C. seemed to fall back a step with Harm Van Veldhoven’s men beginning to set to the tone. Quickly after the re-start veteran Davy De Beule, ex of Beligium’s Koninklijke surged into the area but he as well was unable to finish, this from point-blank range, however it was not long until the Kerkrade side opened the scoring. Coming seven minutes shy of the hour the highly promising Mitchell Donald showed his playing making skills with a intelligent counter attack up the centre of the pitch run before playing the ball to Sanharib Malki on the left side of the area, who then sent a low effort from ten metres to the opposite corner of the net. In search of the leveller Mr. Pastoor added attacking inspiration in the form of Stefan Nijland for Cayfano Latupeirissa six minutes shy of the hour and with chances rare, Melvin Platje for Nick Van der Velden not long thereafter. At the seventy-fourth minute Roda doubled its advantages as Jimmy Hempte’s free-kick from the right took a peculiar high deflection off the wall to the back post where Wiljan Pluim volleyed the ball off the bar and into the net. Melvin Platje gave hope to the faithful moments later as Stef Nijland’s effort from twenty-two metres on the left took a slight deflection before spilling from the ‘keeper’s mitts, with the twenty-two year then showing his predatory skills by driving rebound into the net from an acute angle. N.E.C. mounted a formidable charge for the equalizer but it was not forthcoming and Roda claimed the full three points with a 2-1 victory.

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In an impressive performance, N.E.C. ended its recent slump with a 3-1 victory over Utrecht at Goffertstadion in match-day eleven of the Eredivisie. With the result the Nijmegen side move a point ahead of De Graafschap in the relegation zone ahead of next week visit of Rotterdam to face Feyenoord.

Entering the day N.E.C. manager Alex Pastoor was desperate to find the right touch to end the six-game losing slump that additionally has seen his club scoreless in over seven hours of league play. Coming off the last weeks encounter with ADO Den Haag the N.E.C. tactician made four changes to his starting eleven with Kevin Conboy, Nathaniël Will, Nick Van der Velden and Cayfano Latupeirissa in for Bram Nuytinck, Stefan Nijland, Melvin Platje and Dammyano Grootfaam. To the delight of the home supporters N.E.C went in front at the third minute via a dreadful miscue of Utrecht goalkeeper Roberto Fernández that saw Kevin Conboy latch onto the gifted ball before sending to Lasse Schøne for the professional finish. Only ten minutes later Leroy George displayed his vast talents as he accepted the ball from Nick van der Velden before charging down the right past Michael Zullo cutting back as he neared the by-line and scoring from an improbably acute angle. Up by two, N.E.C. continued to press but saw Utrecht ‘keeper Roberto Fernández make up for his early blunder with a series of fine stops

Opportunities slowed after the break with chances becoming more sparing and three minutes past the hour Mr. Pastoor called upon Hungarian international Zoltán Szélesi for Nathaniël Will as N.E.C. went about the task of securing the result. With fourteen minutes in regulation time the match was fait accompli as Leroy George’s free kick rasped off the bar before striking the ‘keeper and bounding into the net. Two minutes later Jacob Mulenga added a consolation goal for the visitors from the spot after Pavel Čmovš was adjudged a penalty. N.E.C. continued to shine for the balance of the day with Navarone Foor notably impressive after entering late and with the final whistle laid claim to the 3-1 victory.

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N.E.C.’s troublesome stretch continued via a 1-0 loss to ADO Den Haag in match day nine of the Eredivisie today. With the result, N.E.C’s six consecutive loss, Alex Pastoor’s side drops in the relegation zone ahead of next weeks clash against Utrecht.

Coming off the most recent contest and searching for a way to cure the problematic attack the N.E.C. tactician made three changes to the starting line-up with Leroy George, Stefan Nijland and Dammyano Grootfaam entering for Kevin Conboy, Género Zeefuik and Nick Van der Velden. The opening stages were tentative as both sides took their time looking for an opening with the hosts going in front five minutes shy of the half-hour as John Verhoek got on the end of until Jens Toornstra’s provision and after navigating his way past Rens van Eijden sent the ball to the back of the net. N.E.C., despite having the second lowest output in the league was showing confidence with Melvin Platje the chief instigator with two efforts of note. After a modest let-off the hosts pressed to double the lead but the veteran leadership Gábor Babos between the woodwork without their advances and maintained the one goal differential through to the break.

Three minutes after the re-start Den Haag’s Ramon Leeuwin came down awkwardly in pursuit of a loose ball and was replaced by Ahmed Ammi, with the hosts quickly turning up the pressure. At times Gábor Babos’ goal bordered upon being under siege but true to form the thirty-six year-old Hungarian international would give no ground denied Wesley Verhoek and later was the recipient of good fortune as Tjaronn Chery’s effort glanced off the woodwork. With Navarone Foor and Márton Eppel in for Bram Nuytinck and Leroy George as the seventieth minute approached N.E.C. began to carve out a series of openings, including Stefan Nijland high probability chance but his effort was skewed wide from point blank range. Den Haag thought little of resting on their defensive heels but with each notable chance the final touch could not find a way past Gábor Babos and N.E.C. maintained hope to leave with a point. Pushing the last gasp, deep into added-time Stefan Nijland’s low free-kick rattled into the box with rebounded effort blocked and Den Haag breathing a sigh of relief. After four minutes of the signalled five minutes of added-time, the final whistle sounded with ADO Den Haag holding onto a 1-0 victory.

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N.E.C.’s troublesome run continued as their short trip west to face RKC Waalwijk concluded with a 2-0 loss for the Nijmegen side in match-day seven of the Eredivisie.

Coming off the trying loss to NAC Breda, manager Alex Pastoor made two changes to the N.E.C. starting eleven with Kevin Conboy making his debut at left centre-back, along with highly promising Género Zeefuik up top, flanked by Melvin Platje and Leroy George with Rens van Eijden and Navarone Foor. From the opening whistle the hosts showed they were prepared for the encounter with Gábor Babos forced into action in the first minute with a stunning point-blank stop of Geoffrey Castillion. N.E.C. carved out its first opening near the quarter-hour with Nathaniël Will accepting a sumptuous back heel from Género Zeefuik in the area but after being toppled by Adil Auassar was surprised to see penalty claims denied. Near mid-point of the half Evander Sno carved out a brilliant opening on the right side of the area before dispatching the ball to Aaron Meijers but the ensuing effort drifted wide of the left post. Moments later, Evander Sno dispossessed Leroy George before launching a long through ball for Geoffrey Castillion into the right channel but once again the young attacker’s effort was thwarted by N.E.C. veteran goalkeeper Gábor Babos. The attacking advantage continued in a one-way direction as corner from the right was partially cleared to which Ard van Peppen sent a beaming effort that Gábor Babos pushed to safety. Just past the half-hour, Alex Pastoor’s side posted their best effort with Lasse Schøne surging down the right before cutting inside to fire a probing drive that forced the host goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet into action. However, Waalwijk broke the deadlock eight minutes shy of the break as Robert Braber moved into the left side of the area and after cutting back from Bram Nuytinck delivered a cross that Geoffrey Castillion nodded in from the edge of the six yard box.

Three minutes shy of the hour, a loose ball fell to Melvin Platje well outside the area and not wasting a moment the twenty-two year old attacker flashed a drive the Waalwijk goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet did well to deny. Not long after Geoffrey Castillion surged down the left, outdistancing himself from Bram Nuytinck but a quickly closing Kevin Conboy disrupted his effort and it came up for naught. With Nick Van der Velden for Nathaniël Will, N.E.C. continued to hunt for a way through but with fourteen minutes remaining the hosts dug the hole deeper as quick counter long ball down the left saw Furkan Alakmak outrace Nick van der Velden and then delivered a low cross that Rick ten Voorde re-directed into the net. Searching for a way back into the contest, with Navarone Foor now in for Krisztian Vadocz, N.E.C. rarely could pose a threat in the final third and after three minutes of added-time the match ended 2-0 in favour of RKC Waalwijk.

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In front of a near capacity crowd at Goffertstadion in Nijmegen, N.E.C. suffered their second consecutive loss with a 2-1 decision to NAC Breda in week six of the Eredivisie.

Coming off the 1-0 loss to De Graafschap, N.E.C. manager Alex Pastoor made two adjustments to his starting eleven with Nathaniël Will and Hungarian international Krisztian Vadocz entering for Pavel Cmovs and Stefan Nijland. To the delight of N.E.C. supporters the hosts wasted little time taking the lead as ninety-three seconds after the opening whistle Bram Nuytinck, from four metres, sent in Ryan Koolwijk’s well positioned corner from the right. With the quick lead N.E.C. pushed forward with Melvin Platje hammering an effort from outside the area that NAC ‘keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar stretched out fully to his left to paw to safety. After the early advance, chances proved sparse until the contest neared the half-hour with NAC finding host goalkeeper Gábor Babos up to the challenge with a point blank stop. Bram Nuytinck had a find chance to build upon the lead at the thirty-fourth minute with a near direct copy of his opening goal but his glancing header drifted wide of the back post. As the half waned on play became more a box to box affair with neither side able to muster the needed touch and N.E.C. took the one goal advantage to the break.

At the re-start the complexion did not change until the play approached the hour with Robbert Schilder unable to convert for NAC as Nemanja Gudelj’s cross from the right side of the area was a half a step beyond his reach. However N.E.C.’s advantage would not last much longer as four minutes past the hour Robbert Schilder surged down the left on a quick assault with his low cross to Alex Schalk seeing the highly promising nineteen year-old striker live upon to reputation with the perfect finish from seven metres to square the score. NAC suddenly showed confidence and three minutes later they lodged the winning margin as Robbert Schilder once again played provider as he shifted the ball, on a quicker counter, to Ömer Bayram on the left who then sent a low drive to the opposite corner of the net. With twenty minutes remaining in regulation time Mr. Pastoor called upon Género Zeefuik and Stefan Nijland for Leroy George and Lasse Schøne as the hosts went in search of the equalizer. The always dangerous Melvin Platje came within a hushed whisper of levelling at the seventy-ninth minute but his seemingly goal bound effort was cleared away on the line in a stunning last gasp dive by Donny Gorter. The N.E.C. statistician made his final move with six minutes remaining in regulation time as he summoned Dammyano Grootfaam for Navarone Foor but NAC was resolute in defending and after four minutes of added-time claimed its first win of the Eredivisie campaign with a 2-1 result.

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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.

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Courtesy of a quick start with two goals in the opening eight minutes and the brilliant work of Gábor Babos, N.E.C. edged Heracles Almelo 2-1 at Stadion de Goffert in match day four of the Eredivisie campaign. With the result N.E.C. pushes to four-way tie for the third spot in the table ahead of Sunday’s contests.

From last week’s trying loss to AZ and given the surprise news of Jasper Cillessen’s transfer to Ajax, N.E.C. manager Alex Pastoor summoned veteran Gábor Babos between the woodwork with twenty year-old Dammyano Grootfaam entering as right-back with Pavel Čmovš was out due to suspension. His counterpart, Peter Bosz, made a single change to his line-up Glynor Plet for Darl Douglas.

N.E.C. wasted no time in front of their voracious supports as coming at the third minute Lasse Schöne, from close range, raised high to nod Melvin Platje sumptuous cross from the left by-line past the Almelo ‘keeper Remko Pasveer for the one goal advantage. Goal scorer turned provider five minutes later as Lasse Schöne shifted the ball to Nick van der Velden on his right who then sent a low beaming effort from the edge of the area to the opposite corner of the net to put N.E.C. in front 2-0. Near the half-hour, Lasse Schöne sent Stef Nijland through on the right but the young attackers effort was pushed away by the visiting ‘keeper. Heracles was showing little going forward until the later stages of the half when Marko Vejinović’s booming effort from distance rasped off the crossbar with Everton later curling a deft wide just wide. At the thirty-eighth minute Samuel Armenteros surged down the right, working his way off the by-line to supply Everton but the veteran Brazilian pushed the ball off the underside of the crossbar with the goal wide open. However the visitors managed to break through just shy of the break when Marko Vejinović’s corner from the left was sent in by Glynor Plet at the near corner to pull Heracles Almelo to within one at the break.

After the break, chances slowed with N.E.C. the more likely to the two to find the needed touch. Heracles ‘keeper Remco Pasveer kept his side within one at the hour with a superb stop of Stef Nijland’s volley only to see a quality chance to level by Samuel Armenteros from point-blank range denied by Gábor Babos. Following manager Alex Pastoor’s tactics to the letter, N.E.C. continued to lock down the visitor’s advances and after three minutes of added-time claimed the 2-1 victory.

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In a perfunctory statement, N.E.C. Nijmegen soundly defeated Excelsior 2-0 at Stadion de Goffert in the final contest of week two of the Eredivisie.

Coming off their opening week draw with Heerenveen, saved with Stefan Nijland’s late strike, NEC manager Alex Pastoor made a single change to his line-up with Leroy George entering for Nathaniël Will Excelsior manager John Lammers, whose side lost to Feyenoord in the opening week Rotterdam derby, maintained his starting eleven in search of a consistent front.

From the opening whistle, N.E.C. supporters pushed their side on and whilst dominating possession the final turn of the screw was missing with a series of missed opportunities. An early effort via Bram Nuytinck from Ryan Koolwijk’s corner drifted off course before Melvin Platje and skipper Ramon Zomer were unable to close quality chances. Shy of the half-hour Leroy George surged into the area before seeing his effort rasp off the woodwork as Excelsior managed somehow escape the half with the contest scoreless.

The hosts continued to show the greater attacking ingenuity after the break with Mr. Pastoor summoning nineteen year-old Navarone Foor in only his second appearance for Leroy George at the sixty-third minute and it was not long until the home fans were on their feet. Coming with twenty minutes remaining in regulation time Melvin Platje deftly chipped the ball over Excelsior goalkeeper Wesley de Ruiter. Seeing red, N.E.C. charged forward and nine minutes later, Melvin Platje with yet another tantalizing chip over the visiting goalkeeper. With the contest now effectively fait accompli N.E.C. was resolute in not allowing the visitors to advance and went on to claim the 2-0 victory.

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The return of Ronald Koeman to Feyenoord continued to work its magic as the Rotterdam faithful welcomed their youthful heros home with a 3-0 thrashing of Roda JC at De Kuip in week two of the Eredivisie.

Eschewing to the edict “if it works don’t fix it”, Mr. Koeman made no changes to his starting eleven that soundly got past Excelsior in the opening week, whilst his counterpart, Harm Van Veldhoven, summoned in Jagoš Vuković, Mitchell Donald, Arnaud Sutchuin and Davy De Beule for Rob Wielaert, Leon Broekhof, Ruud Vormer and Wiljan Pluim.

The hosts wasted little time in taking the lead as coming at the twelfth minute Jerson Cabral latched on the ball on the right before drive inside and from the edge of the area delivering a curling effort to the back of the net. Before the half-hour mark, Feyenoord was knocking on the door again but as Jerson Cabral’s cross into the box was redirect off the post before Roda ‘keeper Przemysław Tytoń made a point blank save on the follow-up. Het Legioen were in delight six minutes shy of the hour as Jerson Cabral effectively sealed the contest as he came off the right, navigating past Roda defenders and from the edge of the area drilled a left footed effort into the net. In full command the Feyenoord tactician quickly shuttled his bench, summoning Ruben Schaken and Dani Fernández soon thereafter with Ricky van Haaren as they went onto claim a reaffirming 3-0 victory.

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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.

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