In a particularly poor season from a Dutch point of view, this was the match that remained endlessly interesting. NEC against PSV, the semi-final of the KNVB Cup on Tuesday evening in De Goffert, was not only full of chances, goals and countless transition moments, it was also a great battle in terms of creativity, radical attacking tactics and sometimes beautiful combination play.
At NEC, perhaps the most exciting team of this season, they just kept sprinting – and then usually forward. Led by the ever-fit 35-year-old Bryan Linssen, the cunning attacker who ran at every ball and opponent. The audience stood in front of him and gave applause when he was replaced fifteen minutes before time. Completely exhausted. Followed a little later by that other experienced, crafty force, captain Tjaronn Chery – at the age of 37, he is in his third youth.
It was admirable how NEC handled this match, against the almost unbeatable PSV in their own country. NEC, the surprising number four in the Eredivisie, played in its own offensive playing style with the aggression of an underdog and the apparent confidence of a top club. Full of energy with direct and fearless attacking play. When they won the ball, they immediately flew forward.
But it wasn’t all running and flying. Because this NEC also has calm and intelligence, such as central defender Philippe Sandler, who was once brought to Manchester City as a talent, partly due to his good passing. The same could be seen in midfield, with the finesse of Kodai Sano, who Ajax wanted to sign during the winter break. That playing intellect was also visible in Noé Lebreton, a 21-year-old French midfielder, picked up at SM Caen last summer: beautiful technique, with agile actions and handy passes.
All this ensured that the best of Dutch top football – in terms of ideas, field play and intensity – could be seen in Nijmegen on Tuesday evening. With a lot of power and fight, NEC won 3-2 after trailing 2-1 and thus qualified for the final on Sunday evening, April 19, in De Kuip (NEC lost the previous five cup finals). The opponent is AZ or Telstar, they will play the other semi-final in Alkmaar on Wednesday evening.
The depth and dynamics can be seen at NEC after just seven minutes, when Sami Ouaissa escapes into the ashes. He shoots from far away, goalkeeper Matej Kovar handles the ball poorly, the alert Linssen taps in the rebound: 1-0. Within twelve minutes there are already four big chances, neatly divided between both clubs.
It was pretty much expected what kind of match it would be: extremely attacking and very open. PSV coach Peter Bosz predicted that it would be a ‘run-your-rot match’ just like in September – his team won spectacularly 5-3 in Nijmegen. To underline the attacking spirit: both clubs have scored by far the most goals in the Eredivisie so far, 73 for PSV, 61 for NEC.
Schreuder sees things going wrong
Many goals are inevitable now. PSV strikes back almost silently within a few minutes. That puts a lot of pressure, wins the ball, Ivan Perisic crosses from the left and Ismael Saibari heads in at the far post: 1-1. A little later, NEC coach Dick Schreuder sees things going wrong when Joey Veerman releases Saibari in the axis. He raises his arms in the air, warning of the danger. PSV striker Dennis Man gets a lot of space and shoots the 1-2 into the far corner in the twentieth minute.
PSV then dominates in midfield and manages to neutralize the energy at NEC. But don’t push through. A quality of NEC is that they stoically continue to attack, whatever the score in a match. This can be seen in the run-up to the most fascinating phase of the match, about ten minutes before half-time.
Rarely this season has PSV been so trapped in its own penalty area as now by NEC. Under the direction of Chery, they search for an opening with quick combinations. He seems to find Lebreton, but his shot is stopped by Kovar. The attack continues, Sano cleverly heads the ball to Eli Dasa, who shoots it into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area: 2-2.
“That goal was crucial for them, it brought their faith back,” said Bosz. “That gave them renewed energy.”
Staff members jump over each other
The second half is undeniably the best under the leadership of Schreuder, who has honed his direct, attacking style of play in a short time since the summer. They are even fiercer, they increase the pressure on PSV even further, as fit as they are.
It all comes together in the 61st minute. It starts with the fierce chasing of PSV attacker Dennis Man, a trademark of this NEC. Lebreton takes over and delivers a sharp turning cross from the left. Basar Onal gives the final push with the tip of his right foot, enough for the 3-2.
Staff members jump over each other at NEC. The Japanese Kodai Sano is the only one celebrating in his own half and cheers up the crowd – as if that is still necessary amid the ecstatic scenes in a stadium nicknamed ‘blood turmoil’.
Fireworks explode above the Goffert Park, immediately after the final whistle. They’re going to De Kuip, the stadium speaker shouts. “We’re going to Europe,” the crowd sings long after the match.
