Willem II won the NAC football derby in Breda on Friday evening. Jeredy Hilterman, former NAC player, played an important role in the 1-2 win of his Willem II.
As a player for NAC Breda, Jeredy Hilterman was not exactly popular with his own supporters. This is because he attended the championship celebration of his old club FC Emmen in 2022 and expressed that he regretted his transfer to Breda. Hilterman is now a striker for Willem II, the archrival of the Breda club.
Hours before the match it was clear that NAC Breda against Willem II is a charged match. Supporters of Willem II waved goodbye to the players at the King Willem II Stadium with fireworks, and many torches were also lit in Breda. The Rat Verlegh Stadium itself had an atmospheric atmosphere early on.
Sporty revenge
Earlier this season, the two teams faced each other in Tilburg, with the people of Breda clearly being the strongest. The game was stopped at 0-3 and played out at a later time: 1-4. After the halted match, things got out of hand outside the stadium. It meant the dismissal of trainer Reinier Robbemond the same week and a short time later the departure of technical director Teun Jacobs.
The situation at Willem II has now completely changed and the team is at the top of the Kitchen Champion Division. This Friday evening, the people of Tilburg wanted sporting revenge for the previously lost derby and also show why it is the most important title candidate.
Goals Hitlerman
Both teams immediately made it clear that a lot was at stake and gave full throttle. Willem II was the most dangerous and after 8 minutes the score was 0-1. Jeredy Hilterman headed in and caused celebration among the supporters from Tilburg. There were approximately 350, because due to safety measures, only half the capacity of the branch was welcome.
The same Hilterman let himself go a minute later with a major foul. Referee Allard Lindhout punished him with a yellow card. After more than half an hour, Hilterman was again the man on whom all attention was focused. After a strong action by Jeremy Bokila – the super sub who was now part of the starting line-up – the striker was in the right place to score the 0-2.
Final offensive
NAC Breda was treated to a flute concert by its own supporters at the half-time signal. Trainer Jean-Paul van Gastel will undoubtedly have given a thunderous speech in the dressing room, because after the break NAC immediately showed that they were hunting for the tying goal. They also had a number of chances, but goalkeeper Joshua Smits did not have to make any real effort.
In the final phase it became very exciting, when substitute Thomas Marijnissen scored the 1-2. The crowd fully supported it, but NAC Breda never came any closer. Willem II goes into the winter break with a wonderful feeling, NAC Breda can try to attack the top spots in 2024.