FC Emmen punishes wrong NAC goalkeeper and wins first duel in battle for survival | Football

May 31, 2023 at 8:44 PMUpdate: 5 hours ago

FC Emmen narrowly won its first match in the play-offs for promotion/relegation. Coach Dick Lukkien’s team won the first leg in the semi-final against NAC Breda 1-2.

FC Emmen started the match strongly in the Rat Verlegh Stadium and was close to the opening goal after eleven minutes. Jari Vlak had the chance to open the score, but he came across NAC keeper Pepijn van de Merbel just before the goal.

Halfway through the first half, FC Emmen did take the lead through Lorenzo Burnet. The left back hit from the edge of the sixteen-meter area after a nice combination between Vlak and Mark Diemers.

NAC then got into the game a little better, but had to concede another goal six minutes before the break. This time Van de Merbel, who replaced the suspended Roy Kortsmit, made a mistake with a free kick from FC Emmen and Ole Romeny took advantage with a striking header.

FC Emmen celebrates Lorenzo Burnet’s opening goal. Photo: Pro Shots

NAC only dangerous for the first time just before the break

Just before half-time, NAC created danger for the first time, but Jort van der Sande’s header was tapped over the goal by FC Emmen goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart. The team from Brabant came out of the dressing room strongly and were again close to the tying goal early in the second half via Charles-Jesaja Herrmann who had just come in.

FC Emmen slowed down a bit after the break and got another chance at 0-3 via Richairo Zivkovic, but the striker hit the ball completely wrong. NAC didn’t seem to score anymore, but still found the goal in stoppage time via a deflected shot by Aimé Omgba.

The return between FC Emmen and NAC Breda will be played at De Oude Meerdijk on Saturday. The winner of the diptych will play in the final of the play-offs against VVV-Venlo or Almere City FC. Those two teams played a 1-1 draw in De Koel on Tuesday.

FC Emmen only entered the semi-finals of the play-offs as number sixteen in the Eredivisie. NAC finished sixth in the Kitchen Champion Division and defeated MVV Maastricht in the first round of the play-offs.

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