Smitshoek 1-2 NAC
KNVB Beker Round 2
Sportpark Smitshoek
25 September 2013
NAC made the short journey to south Rotterdam to play amateur side Smitshoek in the 2nd round of the KNVB Beker. For the Ere Divisie team, a place in the 2nd round is guaranteed each year, for a team from the Hoofdklaase (tier 4) they can only get this far by reaching at least the semi final of the previous years District Cup and winning in the first round of this years 'big' cup. Given this, it is fair to say that the hosts earned the right to host a top flight team for the first time in their history in front of a 2,000 capacity crowd.
The lack of lights (and no doubt local authorities) meant the game kicked off at 5pm on a Wednesday. The away fans were limited to 200 tickets (not all sold) and got to squeeze through the back gate, up six very dodgy steps and through a gap in the avert boards to get to the temporary away end, created by using porta-loos and a tea hut in the corners as segregation.
Whilst the difference in the two clubs stadiums was very clear, on the pitch the gap between the two was not so pronounced. Whilst NAC had alot of possession they never really looked like making it a comfortable evening and the hosts looked very dangerous on the break. In first half injury time NAC failed to clear a corner, De Rover made an elementary mistake and Smitshoek's den Boer found himself with the ball out left with no right back to mark him. He cut in side and curled his shot into the top corner of the net. The celebrations were as good as the goal itself.
The half time whistle was almost immediate, as was the away teams return to the pitch as Coach Gudelj clearly thought that they should spend some time on the pitch thinking! Whatever was said or the motivation, it worked, as NAC leveled through Mats Seuntjens in the 48th minute and then took the lead 15 minutes later with a sharp finish from Hooi.
The home team obviously took the plaudits at the final whistle (and the following day's press) and rightly so. It was a quality effort. But, without sounding bias, there was no time in the game when I didn't think NAC would win and I didn't spend the last 25 minutes nervously looking at my watch.
Nor did there appear to be any great emotion among the visiting fans as they made their way back up the grass bank and down those steps.
I left glad of the early start as it allowed me to get to Hendrik to see ASWH beat ADO20 1-0. For their efforts ASWH will play Ajax in the Arena. For their efforts NAC will play Cambuur in Leeuwarden.
Glory of the cup hey!
The lack of lights (and no doubt local authorities) meant the game kicked off at 5pm on a Wednesday. The away fans were limited to 200 tickets (not all sold) and got to squeeze through the back gate, up six very dodgy steps and through a gap in the avert boards to get to the temporary away end, created by using porta-loos and a tea hut in the corners as segregation.
Whilst the difference in the two clubs stadiums was very clear, on the pitch the gap between the two was not so pronounced. Whilst NAC had alot of possession they never really looked like making it a comfortable evening and the hosts looked very dangerous on the break. In first half injury time NAC failed to clear a corner, De Rover made an elementary mistake and Smitshoek's den Boer found himself with the ball out left with no right back to mark him. He cut in side and curled his shot into the top corner of the net. The celebrations were as good as the goal itself.
The half time whistle was almost immediate, as was the away teams return to the pitch as Coach Gudelj clearly thought that they should spend some time on the pitch thinking! Whatever was said or the motivation, it worked, as NAC leveled through Mats Seuntjens in the 48th minute and then took the lead 15 minutes later with a sharp finish from Hooi.
The home team obviously took the plaudits at the final whistle (and the following day's press) and rightly so. It was a quality effort. But, without sounding bias, there was no time in the game when I didn't think NAC would win and I didn't spend the last 25 minutes nervously looking at my watch.
Nor did there appear to be any great emotion among the visiting fans as they made their way back up the grass bank and down those steps.
I left glad of the early start as it allowed me to get to Hendrik to see ASWH beat ADO20 1-0. For their efforts ASWH will play Ajax in the Arena. For their efforts NAC will play Cambuur in Leeuwarden.
Glory of the cup hey!