Feyenoord concede stoppage-time equaliser as NEC salvage 1–1 draw

An equalizer in the final seconds of the game ensured that the game between NEC and Feyenoord finished 1-1 on Sunday. In the crucial battle for second place, former Feyenoord winger Danilo scored the leveler in the final seconds of the game after Ayase Ueda had put Feyenoord ahead in the first half.

The result means that Feyenoord keeps hold of second place, which ensures a direct Champions League spot next season, with a point lead over NEC. FC Twente and Ajax both won this weekend, which means that Twente are two points behind, with Ajax now four points behind the Rotterdammers. The draw was met with jubilant celebrations by NEC Nijmegen, who now turn their attention to next week’s cup final against AZ Alkmaar.

Just before kickoff, Robin van Persie was handed a rare boost on the injury front, with Luciano Valente, Jakub Moder, and Anis Hadj Moussa all declared fit enough to start. Even so, Feyenoord remains severely depleted to the extent that their coach had to take part in a training match himself on Friday.

For the trip to NEC Nijmegen, he was still missing a long list of injured players, including Anel Ahmedhodzic, Thomas Beelen, Hwang In-beom, Malcolm Jeng, Bart Nieuwkoop, Shaqueel van Persie, Givairo Read, Leo Sauer, Gijs Smal, and Sem Steijn.

With their energetic, attacking approach, NEC Nijmegen have been one of the standout teams this season. In response, Robin van Persie, now working with input from Dick Advocaat, opted for a more compact setup than usual. Jakub Moder was positioned just ahead of the back line, and Feyenoord lined up without a natural left winger.

Instead, 19-year-old Tobias van den Elshout was granted freedom on the left, while Raheem Sterling, Gonçalo Borges, and Aymen Slit started the match among the substitutes.

NEC found it difficult to cope with Feyenoord’s tactical setup and conceded in the 19th minute, when Ayase Ueda netted his 23rd league goal from a corner delivered by Anis Hadj Moussa to make 0–1.

The hosts responded well and threatened an equalizer on three occasions. Bryan Linssen was stopped by Timon Wellenreuther before sending another effort narrowly wide, while Mats Deijl made a crucial block to deny Noé Lebreton.

In the 52nd minute, Ayase Ueda looked set to go clean through on goal before being brought down by Philippe Sandler. After a VAR review, referee Serdar Gözübüyük went to the monitor, but much to the frustration of Feyenoord, the decision was only a yellow card rather than a dismissal.

It was likely that Gözübüyük felt Ueda had not fully controlled the ball at the moment of the foul.

In the final phase, NEC increased the pressure after introducing five substitutes, but they struggled to carve out clear opportunities. Just when it looked like the match would end in defeat, Danilo struck right at the end of seven minutes of added time to rescue a late equaliser.