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Another stunning result put NEC through
Ludo van Denderen
Thursday 18 December 2008
(ANP) Mario Been's stunt machine
did it again: after their Houdini act in Moscow two
weeks ago NEC Nijmegen beat Udinese 2-0 tonight and
qualified for the third round of the UEFA Cup.
NEC are the third Dutch team (out
of five competing in the group stages) to go through.
The players of NEC could hardly
believe it and there was probably hardly anyone who
thought it was possible what Mario Been's team of youngsters
achieved: unfashionable NEC are still in Europe after
Christmas.
Where PSV, Heerenveen and Feyenoord
will have to follow the European tournaments on TV NEC
are still competing in February.
When Nijmegen's city council resume
their sessions after new year it seems only suited that
their first effort is to erect a statue for Mario Been.
The Rotterdammer is the architect
of the best NEC team ever.
A team that displays attractive
football in the Eredivisie every week and has been doing
the same in Europe.
It remains to be seen just how
far Been's men can reach in Europe, but what is clear
is that no team will underestimate NEC after the last
two victories.
As was to be expected Udinese left
the initiative to NEC from kickoff.
The Italians who had already qualified
for the next round kept Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio
di Natale on the bench and hoped for an occasional counter
attack.
Twice Udinese looked threatening
in the first half this way but it never lead to real
danger for NEC keeper Gabor Babos.
NEC at it's turn played cautious
as well, knowing that Spartak Moscow might just get
a result at White Hart Lane.
The moment the news got through
that the Russians were 0-2 up in London plans had to
be changed in Nijmegen.
The more offensive approach resulted
in a first big chance for Lasse Schöne but the
Dane aimed way too high when a pass to the unmarked
Van Beukering would have been a better option.
Mario Been decided to put on an
extra striker at the start of the second half and that
move pushed Udinese further back.
With John NEC had found the missing
link and it seemed a matter of time before they would
open the score.
But as time ticked away the match
became nerve wrecking.
Seconds after Modric pulled one
back for Tottenham Ramon Zomer put in a fierce header
that Belardi kept away from the net with a magnificent
save.
Just before the Italians had scored,
but the referee had seen that Floro Flores had played
the ball with his hands.
The big moment of the night came
shortly after.
Exactly three seconds after the
big video screen in the stadium reported Tottenham had
equalized against Moscow John let De Goffert Stadium
burst out in ecstasy with a deflected shot that left
Belardi without chance.
Four minutes later Jhon van Beukering
decided the exciting game and secured qualification
for the next round: 2-0.
NEC Nijmegen-Udinese 2-0
1-0 74' C. John
2-0 78' J. van Beukering
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