NAC - VVV-Venlo 3-1
The match had only been underway for 3 minutes when the Venlo side was given a rude awakening: a left side corner was missed by everybody except Botteghin: the Breda defender’s powerful header thundered home. Even Michael Timisela, positioned on the goal line, stood no chance: 1-0.
Fortunately, the Venlo squad were not to be daunted and within 2 minutes they scored the equaliser: goal keeper Ten Rouwelaar’s indecisive goal kick caused him to shoot the ball hard into the onrushing Bryan Linssen, the ball being cannoned off the latter’s body into the goal: 1-1!
After some attacks by NAC, the 26th minute saw a double loss for the visitors: Ferry de Regt fouled a NAC forward from behind and was severely punished: his second yellow ánd a penalty. It was perfectly converted by Donny Gorter: 2-1, leaving the Venlo side with ten players with over an hour to go.
With only one minute to go in the first half, NAC scored their third: with a great rush, unmarked Ömer Bayram outplayed both Niels Fleuren and Andrea Mei and calmly scored the 3-1. This was also the half-time score.
During the second half, the picture was the same: NAC furiously attacked and the Venlo side could only try to stop them. In the 60th minute, it looked as if Anthony Lurling was going to score 4-1 but goal keeper De Vogt once more refused to capitulate: with a supreme effort, he managed to punch the ball out of the far corner.
During the remaining minutes, NAC seemed to be letting up, making two substitutions. VVV-Venlo could only attack sporadically. Long shots from Yanic Wildschut and Uche Nwofor missed precision and power. At the other end, it was De Vogt who, with some good saves, kept his side from getting further behind.
After 90 minutes, referee Makkelie blew the final whistle. NAC were getting ready for late night celebrations, while the Venlo side are going to recharge their batteries for the next game on Friday 4 November against Excelsior at their own Seacon Stadium – De Koel –.
NAC 3 – 1 VVV-Venlo
3. Botteghin (1-0), 5. Linssen (1-1), 26. Gorter (2-1), 44. Bayram (3-1)
Booked: Niels Fleuren
Red card: Ferry de Regt (2x yellow)
NAC Breda line-up:
Jelle ten Rouwelaar, Jens Janse, Kees Luijckx, Eric Botteghin (72. Jordy Buijs), Donny Gorter, Nemanja Gudelj (63. Andreas Lasnik), Tim Gilissen, Robbert Schilder, Ömer Bayram, Alex Schalk (72. Santi Kolk), Anthony Lurling
VVV-Venlo line-up:
Wilko de Vogt,Michael Timisela, Ferry de Regt, Maya Yoshida, Niels Fleuren, Marcel Meeuwis, Barry Maguire, Edwin Linssen, Yanic Wildschut (84. Bobby Cullen), Michael Uchebo (71. Uche Nwofor), Ahmed Musa (30. Andrea Mei)
