FC Eindhoven surprises Almere City with win at start of nacompetition

The nacompetition at stake for a place in next season’s premier league started with a 1-0 home victory by FC Eindhoven, which had finished eighth in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, over Almere City, the number three seed in the regular league behind promotionists Heracles Almelo and PEC Zwolle.

FC Eindhoven, which as EVV Eindhoven was of the game in the very first premier league season 1956/1957 and also played at the highest level for two more years in the 1970s, had the first pinpricks in the house. Charles-Andreas Brym even scored, but did so in an offside position.

The first half did not offer much more excitement, although Almere City did lose captain Damian van Bruggen. He came down uncomfortably after a header duel and immediately grabbed the side.

Shortly after halftime, Eindhoven also had to substitute after an unfortunate incident. Goalkeeper Nigel Bertrams got the knee of Almere invader Rajiv van La Parra against his head and left the field with a sore jaw.

His 20-year-old substitute Jort Borgmans made a clever save midway through the second half when Pascu shot in from close range after a smooth Almere attack.

The pressure from the guests slowly but surely increased, but Borgmans remained alert to the rare chances. The keeper was even able to go to the halfway line in jubilation when, fifteen minutes before time, Dyon Dorenbosch headed in the 1-0 after a cross from substitute Evan Rottier.

Almere City went on the hunt for the equalizer, but Alex Pastoor’s men, who in 2010 guided Excelsior to the premier league via the nacompetition, were no longer dangerous. It even almost got a second goal, but Lamine Diaby-Fadiga’s free kick narrowly missed the crossbar.

Friday is the return in Flevoland. The VVV-Willem II (18:45) and NAC-MVV (21:00) duels are scheduled for Tuesday.