Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:55 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 22:59

NEC won 1-3 against RKC Waalwijk in a wonderful and entertaining match on Saturday. The outstanding Oussama Tannane scored two goals in the first half and failed from eleven meters after the break. NEC surpasses RKC in the position and is now eighth in the Eredivisie. The Waalwijkers still have a game in hand, as last week’s away match against Go Ahead Eagles was canceled due to bad weather.

At RKC, Iliass Bel Hassani and Lars Nieuwpoort, who started against PSV (0-1 defeat) two weeks ago, were on the bench. There were therefore basic places for Shawn Adewoye and Yassin Oukili. Furthermore, there were no changes at the hosts and Michiel Kramer and Mats Seuntjens had to create danger in the front. At NEC there was the return of Lasse Schöne, who sprained his ankle two weeks ago against Ajax (1-0 defeat) and was therefore missing at home against FC Utrecht (2-2). Jordy Bruijn, who replaced him a week ago, was sitting on the bench in Waalwijk. Philippe Sandler was not available due to injury and was replaced in the center of the defense by Joris Kramer. Trainer Rogier Meijer also opted for trusted names in the visiting team, including Jasper Cillessen, who has returned to the the Dutch squad.

Seuntjens could have given RKC a dream start when he only went for Cillessen. The goalkeeper stood for a long time and thus managed to save the attacker’s shot. Shortly afterwards, Schöne grabbed his right ankle after colliding with Adewoye. NEC seemed to take the lead after more than ten minutes, but it was Etienne Vaessen who kept the heading Landry Dimata from scoring with a fabulous save. The lead for the team from Nijmegen came after twenty minutes. After a smooth combination, Tannane signed for the 0-1 after good preparatory work by Dimata. It quickly became 0-2 thanks to Elayis Tavsan, who cut Thierry Lutonda and hit the ball into the far corner. It was then Tannane’s turn again: his free kick went straight through the wall, over the wall beam and past the hopeless Vaessen.

RKC played very nice football at times and hit the bar via Seuntjens. Despite this, NEC comfortably led 0-3 at the halfway mark. Twelve seconds after the break, Meijer’s team seemed to be awarded a penalty after a foul in the box by RKC. Referee Dennis Higler decided to reverse that decision after a VAR check. The yellow for protesting for Vaessen remained. Kramer should then have scored at the near post when Iván Márquez mowed over the ball, but the attacker appeared to be frightened by the opportunity and was unable to convert the ball into a goal. After an hour of play, RKC finally managed to score: Vurnon Anita scored the hosts’ first goal from a rebound.

Julen Lobete, who came on for Kramer, left a huge chance of 2-3 unused and NEC on the other hand had the opportunity to bring the margin back to three. Adewoye stepped on Souffian El Karouani’s foot and Higler decided on the advice of the VAR to give a penalty kick. Tannane’s weak effort in the bottom right corner, however, was a prey for Vaessen. A close-range bet by Tavsan hit the inside of the post in the closing stages and substitute Anthony Musaba hit the other post well into stoppage time. RKC probably deserved more given the way the game was played, but nevertheless had to swallow a 1-3 defeat against NEC.