NEC returns to the Eredivisie after an absence of four years. The club from Nijmegen managed to deal with NAC Breda in the final of the play-offs: 1-2. One minute before the end Jonathan Okita was the big hero on the side of NEC. Substitute Sydney van Hooijdonk had given NAC so much hope by producing the equalizer as a substitute. Nevertheless, the visiting team won the prize shortly before the final whistle. Revenge for NEC, which relegated in 2017 after defeats against NAC in the play-offs.
In the initial phase, both clubs showed themselves in an offensive way. For example, in the 24th minute there was a dangerous situation in front of NAC’s goal. Okita, Javier Vet and Rangelo Janga, however, were unable to score on behalf of the Nijmegen team. Two minutes later it was still hit for NEC. Cas Odenthal headed flawlessly from a measured free kick by Jordy Bruijn. NAC was not discouraged by the goal of NEC and Kaj de Rooij was close to the equalizer after half an hour of play, were it not for his header flying over the goal via the crossbar. Lex Immers showed himself ten minutes before half time, when he put the ball ready for Marouan Azarkan. His commitment only just passed.
JONATHAN OKITA DOES IT !!! ? NEC promotes to the Eredivisie !!
# ?? #nacnec pic.twitter.com/nFmuqRZ0zW
– ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 23, 2021
In the second half, NAC increased the pressure and the audience in the Rat Verlegh Stadium was one man behind the team of trainer Maurice Steijn. The NAC coach intervened after sixty minutes and sent Sydney van Hooijdonk and Mario Bilate into the field. A golden hold from Steijn, as Van Hooijdonk tied the score in the 70th minute, after which the NAC supporters became ecstatic. The super sub headed the ball in from close range after a successful action and ditto cross from Robin Schouten. A few minutes later Thomas Beekman relieved the tired vet at NEC.
The revived NAC got a huge downer in the 89th minute. Okita extended a cross with the outside of his foot and to his delight saw the ball land in the far corner: 1-2. Joyful scenes among the visitors and great dismay the Pearl of the South. Four minutes of injury time were added, but that turned out not to be enough for NAC to drag out an extension. NEC pulled the minimal lead over the line and returns to the Eredivisie after the summer break. NAC, no longer active at the highest level since 2019, will also play in the Kitchen Champion Division next season.
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