Emmen holds hope for dream farewell Lukkien thanks to fine goals against NAC

Dick Lukkien is two duels away from unconditional hero status at FC Emmen. If the coach brings his team to a successful conclusion in the duel with Almere City, he will leave FC Emmen behind in the premier league.

Emmen secured that final place in the playoffs on their own field by also dealing with NAC Breda (2-0) in the return thanks to wonderful goals by Richairo Zivkovic and Jasin-Amin Assehnoun. Earlier in the evening Almere had dealt with VVV-Venlo in a thriller.

As a rebounder from the premier league with an away win already in their pocket, Emmen was the big favorite in advance to reach the final match on their own field. But although the biggest chances were for the home club, the visitors were the better team for a long time.

And because of the somewhat fortunate 1-2 in the outward game, a shot changed direction by Aimé Ntsama Omgba, NAC needed only the smallest of victories to secure an extension at the Oude Meerdijk. And Emmen’s fear of that scenario seemed to creep into the team as well, when goals failed to materialize.

Already after two minutes Mike te Wierik could have walked right in on a sharply cut free kick, and after halftime Jeremy Antonisse wiggled the ball wide after a beautiful deep pass from Ole Romeny.

NAC did not become a real threat, although a goal was disallowed on the stroke of half-time. Ezechiel Banzuzi rammed a deflected ball in, but earlier in the attack it was offside.

Under the guise of “Dick veur mekaor,” however, Emmen showed determination to put a fitting end to the seven seasons under Lukkien. Indeed, under his leadership, a historic promotion to the premier league was secured in 2018 and, with a brief interruption, four seasons were eventually played at the highest level.

Zivkovic gave the first step towards enforcement some shine with perhaps the most beautiful Emmen goal of the season, by popping in kiezelhard via the post after an individual action.

As a result, NAC can prepare for its fifth consecutive season in the first division, whether or not Charles-Jesaja Herrmann had scored during the Breda players’ final offensive.

The final word belonged to Assehnoun, with a delightful peg from distance deep into extra time.