NEC hold out in Bucharest

Thursday 02 October 2008

NEC have impressed in a very hostile Bucharest by keeping Dynamo to a goalless draw and thus qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Cup.

The team from Nijmegen had won the first leg at home 1-0.

It meant John van Beukering's goal was worth gold for the team of Mario Been that survived the first round for the first time since 1983.

25 Years ago it was Barcelona who were too strong for NEC in the second round.

This time around NEC are in for at least another 4 European matches.

It was a thrill to see how the young team of Been held out tonight in swirling Bucharest.

They hardly seemed touched by the hateful reception in the Stefan cel Mare Stadium, where 15,000 Rumanians were whipped up before the match by a pounding house music beat.

But NEC played very mature and easily passed the ball around.

Within the first 15 minutes they could have opened the score twice, but Joël Tshibamba failed on both occasions.

Dynamo on the other end hardly ever managed to create anything, although after half an hour they did have the biggest chance of the first half when Danciulescu hit the cross bar from close range.

On the other side Van Beukering hit the woodwork.

After the break NEC lost control of the game and were close to being overrun.

The hosts had three massive chances, but NEC had the gods on their side and kept a clean sheet.

A tactical move by coach Been then changed the face of the game.

He took off two forwards and brought on two offensive midfielders in an effort two hold onto the ball a bit longer.

That worked very well and instantly the team were able to relieve themselves from the pressure.

They had to hold their breath only once when Danciulescu found himself in an ocean of space in front of the NEC goal.

However the Rumanian's effort would perhaps have meant something in a rugby game - not in football.