“Başar Önal gave NEC the perfect start with an early opener, settling any nerves about facing lower-league opposition”
Pivotal“Willem den Dekker leveled for De Treffers with a well-taken equalizer, stunning the visitors and energizing the home crowd”
Pivotal“Ahmetcan Kaplan restored NEC's lead with what proved to be the winner, showcasing the quality difference between the divisions”
Pivotal“NEC made three simultaneous substitutions, bringing fresh legs to control the final twenty minutes”
De Treffers
NEC Nijmegen
NEC Nijmegen secured their passage to the next round of the KNVB Beker with a professional away performance against lower-division De Treffers, though they were made to work harder than expected. Başar Önal's early strike put the visitors in control, but Willem den Dekker's second-half equalizer briefly threatened an upset before Ahmetcan Kaplan's decisive goal restored NEC's advantage. The Eredivisie side showed their quality in key moments, with their superior fitness and depth proving crucial as they made multiple substitutions to see out the victory and maintain their cup ambitions.
Third-tier De Treffers host Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen in a rescheduled KNVB Beker Round of 16 clash at Sportpark Zuid. The Gelderland derby promises drama as De Treffers look to overturn their poor historical record against NEC and continue their impressive cup run.
