Football Season Guide

The last season could have been a very successful one for NEC Nijmegen, who made a top 6 finish for the first time in 20 years while also reaching the KNVB Cup final. However, they ended up with a bitter taste in the mouth as they were defeated by Feyenoord in the Cup and eventually failed to qualify for European football. Things actually looked far from promising for coach Roger Meijer and his boys until the beginning of December, as they had won only 2 out of the initial 14 fixtures. Then, they started an impressive cavalcade that led them to the top 5 in mid-April. Injuries took their toll in a decisive moment of the season and this resulted in a final dip of form. 42-year-old Meijer, the architect of their successes, characterized by a prolific attack, they scored 68 goals, and a rather vulnerable defence, they kept only 6 clean sheets, will still be in charge in the new campaign. During the summer NEC lost one of the main protagonists of their past campaign: aging Cilessen left for pastures new. Van Gassel, who did well at Excelsior despite the relegation, will thus be the new man in goal. Key striker Dost, who suffered a season-ending issue too early on, was also let go together with back-up Sow, but the latter will not be missed. NEC wisely acquired Ogawa’s services permanently as the Japanese striker delivered regularly, especially in the Cup. A couple of wingers also left in Yvandro, who left no mark, and Baas, who did well also as a left-back, and 19-year-old Onal may represent an interesting replacement. Rober, their second-best scorer, also a winger, was also permanently acquired. Then, NEC also lost attacking midfielder Chery, who did well in the 4 months at the club but returned to his parent club, being also on the wrong side of his 30s. In the heart of the defence, back-up Ross also left and he should be replaced by more experienced Marquez, whose last season was plagued by injuries, though.