NAC played a draw against Roda JC on Friday evening. In its own Rat Verlegh Stadium in Breda it was 2-2. NAC used a new style of play in the game against the Limburgers. That resulted in a point, but above all much more fun football.
It was close to NAC standing in-house, after a long time finally again with some audience, already after one minute of play with 1-0 behind. The visiting Roda cut straight through the NAC defense after the first whistle, but keeper Nick Olij narrowly saved on Xani Emmers’ effort.
Different way of playing
It probably took some getting used to for the Breda team, because coach Edwin de Graaf had opted for a different way of playing. Motivated by the departure of midfielder Thom Haye (Heerenveen) and the arrival of striker Jeredy Hilterman (FC Emmen), he had opted for a different game system. With three defenders, five midfielders and two attackers, an attacking course on paper.
Yet it was only from the 19th minute that the stands, which were populated with 6100 NAC supporters, were ablaze for the first time. NAC had a series of huge opportunities in succession. After Ody Velanas, newcomers Nadufal Bannis and Jeredey Hilterman failed to score. Not much later, Kaj de Rooij had a world chance, but that ball did not go in either. .
Although it sometimes looked a bit fragile defensively, but goalkeeper Olij stood his ground, NAC was the dominant party in the first half. Plus, this playstyle is fun to watch.
Two goals in one minute
Ten minutes after the break, NAC’s aggressive drive was rewarded. Debutant Jeredy Hilterman was the man who broke the spell, he headed in from a corner. The joy about the 1-0 was great, but only lasted for a short time. During the first subsequent attack, NAC got the lid on its nose and the Limburgers immediately tied the score again via Dylan Vente, 1-1.
A downer for NAC, because that team desperately needs the points to be able to play the play-offs at the end of the ride. Prior to the game against Roda JC, the team was already eleven points behind number eight and although there were still two Young teams up front, a few clubs are expressly gasping in the neck of NAC.
Two more goals in a short time
Encouraged by the audience, NAC continued to look for the winning goal in the second half. In the end, that did not come and NAC even had to bow to Roda JC against the proportions. In the 83rd minute, Daryl Werker headed in a corner at the far post, 1-2.
Yet it was not over yet, because in the 90th minute NAC came alongside after Ody Velanas scored from a distance, 2-2. NAC eventually had to make do with a point. That may have been disappointing, but still some gains had been made. The new style of play brought much more fun football.