A nine goal thriller in Breda saw Groningen beat NAC 5-4 to end an excellent season for Edwin van de Looi’s side.
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The game exploded into life on the 11th minute when Michael de Leeuw finished off Hans Hateboer’s cross to give Groningen the lead, but NAC Breda equalised five minutes later with Guyon Fernandez racing onto a fine through ball before finishing nicely.
A brilliant attack from Groningen saw De Leeuw tap in his second on 25 minutes, but once again NAC Breda equalised quickly, this time Adnane Tighadouini finishing off a cross from Jeffrey Sarpong. Just after the half hour mark De Leeuw completed his hat-trick to put Groningen ahead at the break.
The second half started slowly, but Tjaronn Chery started another flurry of goals after firing in an excellent free kick to put Groningen 4-2 up. The goal will send a message to Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink who selected Chery for the first time in his training squad for next month’s Euro qualifier against Latvia.
NAC Breda showed fight to level the scores, firstly Tighadouini fired a free kick through the wall to make it 3-4 before Fernandez headed in Remy Amieux’s cross to make it 4-4 on 76 minutes. Groningen did not settle for the draw and Danny Hoesen sent a shot into the top corner with four minutes left to decide the match.
Groningen end the season in 8th, but after winning the KNVB Cup and qualifying for the Europa League, it has been an excellent campaign for Edwin van de Looi. NAC finish 16th and will face VVV Venlo in the relegation play-offs.
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