Outstanding Cillessen cannot prevent NEC from losing points at Fortuna Sittard

NOS Football•today, 10:52 PM

View the summary of Fortuna Sittard – NEC

NEC drew a ‘snack’ in the Premier League at Fortuna Sittard on Tuesday evening. After the good victory over PSV last weekend, it was mainly important for the Nijmegen team to maintain the good feeling heading into the derby against Vitesse next Sunday.

That partly worked and that was mainly thanks to goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

The 1-1 was a disappointment for the Nijmegen team. That is not surprising in a glorious season so far. NEC is fifth, defeated leader PSV, often plays good football and will meet Feyenoord in the cup final this month.

View the reactions of Jasper Cillessen and Rogier Meijer here:

Things were a lot more difficult on Tuesday evening. Although strongmen Koki Ogawa and Tjaronn Chery were back after their absence last weekend, the team of coach Rogier Meijer mainly had to chase Fortuna in Sittard.

Cillessen showed once again in Limburg that he is in good shape. Last Saturday he took his very first penalty in the Premier League against PSV and he was again of great value to his team on Tuesday evening.

De Groesbeker prevented the home team from taking the lead after half an hour with at least five saves. Iñigo Córdoba tried with a header and a rebound, but Cillessen made catty saves. The keeper then tapped a bet from Deroy Duarte onto the crossbar and turned away a shot from Kaj Sierhuis.

Just before half time, Córdoba tried one more time, but again the Groesbeek keeper was rock solid.

While NEC could easily have fallen behind, the team from Nijmegen did take the lead. Mees Hoedemakers sent away Rober González, who took the ball towards the goal with a beautiful pirouette and was then able to finish it through the legs of Velp goalkeeper Michael Verrips.

It did not make NEC play better football. Fortuna looked even harder for a Limburg goal. After Cillessen had saved another effort, this time an attempt by Rodrigo Guth, the goalkeeper had to capitulate.

Bram Nuytinck lost a duel a little too easily, allowing Sierhuis to finally get the ball. The striker, who was already in such good shape, now managed to score.

The match turned out to be a disappointment for NEC ahead of next Sunday’s neighborly dispute against Vitesse. Especially because Rogier Meijer also saw two players drop out who he had recently brought into the field. Sontje Hansen and Yvandro Borges Sanches have to wait and see whether they can participate in Gelredome.