In a hard-fought match, NEC defeated PEC Zwolle on Tuesday evening in the first round of the KNVB Cup. The Nijmegen team needed an extension, but the fighting spirit from the second half gave them the victory. Afterwards, Rogier Meijer discussed the sad refereeing, an annoyed Koki Ogawa and the luxury at left back. “Competition is good, because we have to improve.”
“I’m just really happy, actually. That’s because you’re one lap ahead,” the trainer begins with a smile ForzaNEC. “If you play extra time and lose, it’s a sour feeling. Of course there is relief, because it was a crazy match, but luckily we were on the right side of the score.”
To trust
After the 2-2, Meijer didn’t really see anything going wrong for his team. “I was happy that he (PEC Zwolle goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, ed.) did not grab that ball. We had a few moments before that too. I had the feeling that if we made it 2-2 we would win. Although I have to be honest: I also had that feeling at 1-1, because I thought we were in the match better.” Even after the 4-3 from the spot, it was not really a success for the trainer. “I didn’t have the feeling that we would give away the lead, because you also saw something developing in the team.”
“How we defend at 1-2, how we lose the ball at 0-1, that determines how you play the match,” sighs Meijer. “Fortunately we fought over that and that is the most important thing.”
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Press early
The first half in particular was not enjoyable for anyone who cares about NEC. There was hardly any football and the pressure from Zwolle kept the Nijmegen residents calm. “Zwolle played the long ball a lot, because we played with Rober (González, ed.) next to Koki (Ogawa, ed.). When you see how we process those balls, you always have to chase them. We won the matches themselves, but then we put the ball back in midfield at Zwolle. That means you have to keep going back. We won the ball late on the field and they put pressure early, and we couldn’t escape that in the first 25 minutes.”
NEC became a little more dangerous towards half time. “After that there came a phase when Hansen offered himself more in midfield with Rober. Then I thought that every ball we played forward immediately created danger. So it wasn’t that we didn’t want to or weren’t sharp, but how you processed those balls in the first phase. That feeling was not good.”
Poor arbiter
The feeling about referee Robin Hensgens, who was sent to Nijmegen by the KNVB at the last minute, was also not good. Meijer was careful with his words, but they still spoke volumes. “I must say I didn’t think the referee was very good. It’s unbelievable that I didn’t get a yellow card. I really deserved one.”
“He wasn’t really in shape and gave another penalty… From one and a half meters away, Nuytinck had the ball shot towards his head where his hand happened to be hanging in front of. Then he points to the spot, which wasn’t good, but it fit the game.”
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Ogawa
Despite an argument in the first half with Vito van Crooij, Meijer was satisfied with striker Koki Ogawa. The Japanese missed a great chance against Almere City and was exasperated to score. He ended up doing that twice. “He told me he was going to score, but he’s been saying that for two weeks now, so I was kind of done with that. You also saw after the goal that something fell off him. If you see the work he has done, also in the transition, it was necessary. If he makes the goals easier, that will only help us.”
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Finally, the trainer discussed the left backs in his selection. Thomas Ouwejan started the kick-off, but an aggressive Calvin Verdonk came on strong. “They are two good players for one position, so it is certainly a choice that we always weigh. In principle, Calvin would have played today, but he couldn’t train on Friday, so that’s why he was chosen now. He came in well and was aggressive in a good way.”
“The competition is good, also at the front, because we have to improve. I do see Ouwejan as an option for left winger in some matches, but in matches where we are better or have an equal opponent, I prefer to play with a real left winger,” Meijer concludes.
Photos: Rob Koppers
NEC vs. PEC Zwolle: A Cup Clash to Remember!
Ah, the KNVB Cup! Where the underdogs dream and the referees… well, they just dream of not being recognized. In a match that could’ve been easily mistaken for a wrestling match, NEC triumphed over PEC Zwolle, and let’s be honest, it was a bit of a “stop the fight!” kind of affair. It took extra time to settle it, but at the end of the night, it was the resilience of the Nijmegen team that stole the show. Or at least the referee’s whistle.
Rogier Meijer: The Master of Mixed Emotions
NEC’s head honcho, Rogier Meijer, kicked things off with a bright smile – probably because he had more laps under his belt than a Formula 1 driver on caffeine. “If you play extra time and lose, it’s a sour feeling,” he quipped, clearly still reeling from the chaotic rollercoaster that was the match. But relief washed over him as if he’d just found a £20 note in his winter jacket. “We were on the right side of the score!” Yes, Rogier, because nothing says ‘well-fought match’ like praying for a penalty shootout.
The Dramatic Turnaround
Now, the first half – well, let’s just say it was about as exciting as watching paint dry. It was all long balls and dull tactics, leaving NEC’s fans sharper than a set of ninja stars on the sideline. Meijer explained, “Zwolle played the long ball a lot,” and the only thing longer was the queue for snacks at halftime. You could see the players chasing shadows as Zwolle dominated early on, making it feel like NEC had picked the wrong sport altogether.
Referee Robin Hensgens: A Name to Remember — or Forget
And what about the man in the middle, Robin Hensgens? Talk about a performance! He probably thought he was auditioning for a role in a comedy about refereeing fails. Meijer gently hinted at Hensgens’ lack of form: “He wasn’t really in shape,” and I for one think that might have been an understatement. “It’s unbelievable that I didn’t get a yellow card. I really deserved one.” That’s the spirit! If you’re going down, at least go down swinging!
Koki Ogawa: A Japanese Star Shines Brightly
Then there was Koki Ogawa, the striker with a knack for dramatic flair. After an earlier mishap against Almere City, you could’ve sworn he was about to start a career in stand-up comedy, the way he’d been moping around. Thankfully, he turned that around by scoring twice this time! “He told me he was going to score,” chuckled Meijer. All I can say is, if his predictions come true more often, he might as well start a betting shop.
The Left Back Dilemma
As for the luxury at left back, Meijer is balancing players like he’s auditioning for a juggling act. “They are two good players for one position,” he noted, referencing Thomas Ouwejan and Calvin Verdonk. It’s a bit like having two stunning dresses but only one night out. It’s a good problem to have, as long as you don’t end up wearing mismatched shoes!
What We’ve Learned
In conclusion, NEC proved that competition breeds excellence, or at the very least, good content for the punters. Meijer’s message was clear – improvement is key, and nothing hones that edge like a heated match in extra time. A tip of the hat to NEC for their fight and to PEC Zwolle for giving us a match worth watching, even if it occasionally felt like a football version of a soap opera!
So, next time someone asks about the beauty of the KNVB Cup, remember this match: a crazy affair with brave fights, questionable refereeing, and a whole lot of heart. Now, let’s just hope for a better night out for the referees next time!
In a fiercely contested KNVB Cup opener, NEC emerged victorious over PEC Zwolle on Tuesday night after a gripping encounter that extended into extra time. The Nijmegen side, fueled by relentless determination in the second half, managed to secure the win. Following the match, coach Rogier Meijer expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing, the frustration of Koki Ogawa, and the competitive depth at left back, stating, “Competition is good, because we have to improve.”
“I’m just really happy, actually. That’s because you’re one lap ahead,” the trainer begins with a smile ForzaNEC. “If you play extra time and lose, it’s a sour feeling. Of course there is relief, because it was a crazy match, but luckily we were on the right side of the score.”
To trust
After the thrilling 2-2 tie, Meijer maintained a positive outlook on his team’s performance. “I was happy that he (PEC Zwolle goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, ed.) did not grab that ball. I had the feeling that if we made it 2-2 we would win. Although I have to be honest: I also had that feeling at 1-1, because I thought we were in the match better.” Even with the added pressure after PEC Zwolle’s 4-3 penalty conversion, the trainer remained optimistic. “I didn’t have the feeling that we would give away the lead, because you also saw something developing in the team.”
“How we defend at 1-2, how we lose the ball at 0-1, that determines how you play the match,” sighs Meijer. “Fortunately we fought over that and that is the most important thing.”
Press early
The first half in particular was not enjoyable for anyone who cares about NEC. There was hardly any football and the pressure from Zwolle kept the Nijmegen residents calm. “Zwolle played the long ball a lot, because we played with Rober (González, ed.) next to Koki (Ogawa, ed.). When you see how we process those balls, you always have to chase them. We won the matches ourselves, but then we put the ball back in midfield at Zwolle. That means you have to keep going back. We won the ball late on the field and they put pressure early, and we couldn’t escape that in the first 25 minutes.”
NEC became a little more dangerous towards half time. “After that there came a phase when Hansen offered himself more in midfield with Rober. Then I thought that every ball we played forward immediately created danger. So it wasn’t that we didn’t want to or weren’t sharp, but how you processed those balls in the first phase. That feeling was not good.”
Poor arbiter
The feeling about referee Robin Hensgens, who was sent to Nijmegen by the KNVB at the last minute, was also not good. Meijer was cautious in his critique, yet his displeasure was evident. “I must say I didn’t think the referee was very good. It’s unbelievable that I didn’t get a yellow card. I really deserved one.”
“He wasn’t really in shape and gave another penalty… From one and a half meters away, Nuytinck had the ball shot towards his head where his hand happened to be hanging in front of. Then he points to the spot, which wasn’t good, but it fit the game.”
Ogawa
Despite an argument in the first half with Vito van Crooij, Meijer was satisfied with striker Koki Ogawa. The Japanese forward had previously expressed his frustration at having missed crucial opportunities, but made amends by scoring two vital goals. “He told me he was going to score, but he’s been saying that for two weeks now, so I was kind of done with that. You also saw after the goal that something fell off him. If you see the work he has done, also in the transition, it was necessary. If he makes the goals easier, that will only help us.”
Left-back dilemma
Finally, the trainer discussed the left backs in his selection. Thomas Ouwejan started the match, but the aggressive Calvin Verdonk made an impactful appearance off the bench. “They are two good players for one position, so it is certainly a choice that we always weigh. In principle, Calvin would have played today, but he couldn’t train on Friday, so that’s why he was chosen now. He came in well and was aggressive in a good way.”
“The competition is good, also at the front, because we have to improve. I do see Ouwejan as an option for left winger in some matches, but in matches where we are better or have an equal opponent, I prefer to play with a real left winger,” Meijer concludes.
Photos: Rob Koppers
Wasn’t the best of performances, and I’m sure he might have had a different night in mind,” he said with a sigh. “There were moments where you’d expect a clearer decision, but it seemed like he was out of sync with the pace of the match.”
Despite the referee’s shortcomings, Meijer found solace in his team’s resilience and ability to adapt. “In those moments, you just have to focus on what you can control – our play,” he emphasized.
The Aftermath: Fans and Frolicking
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with NEC fans celebrating their team’s determination. Following a rocky first half where they struggled against PEC Zwolle’s long-ball strategy, NEC turned the tide in the second half, ultimately dictating the pace of the game. The fans, initially subdued, erupted with joy as Koki Ogawa netted two crucial goals, reversing the fortunes of the match. “When they cheer like that, it drives the team forward,” Meijer acknowledged, recognizing the impact of the supporters.
The victory was not just about progression in the KNVB Cup; it was a statement of intent. With competition for places intensifying, especially at left back with Verdonk and Ouwejan vying for a starting spot, the coach’s mantra echoed: “We have to improve.” That sentiment will surely ring true as NEC looks to build on this momentum and sharpen their skills in the upcoming fixtures.
Looking Ahead
As Rogier Meijer prepares his squad for future challenges, it’s clear this match will serve as a critical learning opportunity. Reflections on defensive strategies and decision-making under pressure will guide their training sessions in the coming weeks. With the KNVB Cup providing both thrills and spills, fans can expect more drama, as every match offers its own unique narrative.
Ultimately, NEC’s fight in this grueling encounter reinforces the essence of football: persistence, passion, and a touch of humor – even when faced with bizarre officiating! Here’s to hoping the team keeps their head in the game and their spirits high as they continue to chase glory in the cup!
