Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:12 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 14:27

NEC failed to beat Willem II’s tens on Sunday afternoon in De Goffert: 0-0. The visitors from Tilburg had to continue with one man less after fifteen minutes because of the red card for Jorn Brondeel. The goalkeeper made hands outside the penalty area when the broken through Jonathan Okita charged at Willem II’s goal. With 14 minutes and 41 seconds on the clock, it is the fastest red card ever for Willem II from kick-off. Nevertheless, NEC was unable to take advantage of the surplus situation and the team of trainer Rogier Meijer has to settle for a point.

Brondeel knew right after the handball that he had to go to the side. Trainer Fred Grim is unable to use Timo Wellenreuther and Robbin Ruiter due to injuries, so that fourth goalkeeper Connor van den Berg made his debut under the bar at Willem II somewhat unexpectedly. Görkem Saglam was forced to the side because of this. The initiative came even more to NEC, but that did not yield the much desired lead in the remainder of the first half. Mikkel Duelund was unlucky after 34 minutes to hit the post after a nice combination with Okita. Souffian El Karouani saw a hard long shot just go over the crossroads.

Fred Grim let Connor van den Berg make his debut after Jorn Brondeel’s red card.

Okita seemed to be on his way to the 1-0 for NEC in the 51st minute, after good preparatory work by Ali Akman. However, the fast attacker was stopped by the alert Van den Berg. Meijer intervened after an hour of play and brought Elayis Tavsan and Magnus Mattsson in front of Duelund and Jordy Bruijn. NEC continued to put pressure on Willem II’s defense and was full of disbelief when no goal was scored from a scrimmage in the 73rd minute. Three imposed chances were not spent on the home team.

With the support of the NEC supporters, the home club continued to look for the so liberating opening goal, which was unable to come in the final phase. In the five minutes of added time, the unfortunate Okita hit the bar and a number of attacks in the extremis also yielded nothing for the Nijmegen team. NEC had risen to third place with a win, but has to settle for fifth place due to the draw. Willem II left the field satisfied and retains fourth place, with seven points from four matches. NEC has the same number of points, but a less good goal difference (0 to -2).