In the battle of the Eredivisie’s bottom two Roda JC claimed a precious 3-1 win over NEC Nijmegen to ease relegation fears.
- By Michael Bell
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NEC made the brighter start of the two teams, with Michael Higdon forcing Filip Kurto into a smart save early on. However the game swung on a mistake by NEC keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, who’s kick was charged down by Berry Powel, and the Roda forward squared for Guus Hupperts to net from a few yards out.
Eight minutes into the second half, Johnsson was caught off his line by Marc Hocher’s free kick which flew over his head and into the top corner to make it 2-0. Minutes later Roda JC added their third with Guus Huppert’s sliding the ball into the net from Powel’s low cross.
NEC got themselves back into the game with 30 minutes left through Michael Higdon’s close range finish on the rebound, but it proved to be just a consolation as Roda closed out the match. NEC finished the game with ten men after Victor Palsson was shown a straight red card in injury time.
The win is a relief for Roda JC boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, who’s side had lost all of their previous six matches, and now move above NEC into 17th place.
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