The Amsterdammers would be gunning to bag maximum points in their second encounter of the 2012/13 season after dropping points in their opening match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar last week.
It will be an intriguing battle between NEC Nijmegen and Ajax Amsterdam when the two sides meet at McDOS Goffertstadion on Sunday, August 19.
NEC Nijmegen
The Nijmegen outfit are coming on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Heerenveen-c40463 in their opening game of the new Eredivisie season. Melvin Platje gave his side a deserving lead in the 27th minute while Pavel Cmos
doubled NEC’s advantage in the 35th minute.
The home side tried to come back into the match, but they failed to assert their authority, and the match ended in a 2-0 win for the visitors.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NEC-c40018 finished eighth on the league table last term, and are keen to finish in the top five teams of the Dutch top flight to play in European competition.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Pastoor, the NEC boss, is brimming with confidence following his side’s impressive win in the opening match. However, the former SBV Excelsior coach has urged his troops to put in their 100 percent if they are to upset the
reigning Eredivisie champions at home.
Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdammers were pressed hard in the opening game of the 2012/13 season by AZ Alkmaar, though, the defending Dutch champions managed to secure a 2-2 stalemate at the end. Gregory van der Wiel opened the score-line in the
ninth minute, but Jozy Altidore’s brace within five minutes of play in the second-half gave AZ a 2-1 lead. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute to end the game 2-2, with both sides sharing the spoils.
De Joden were crowned Dutch champions for the 31st time in the club’s history at the end of the 2011/12 season. At the start of the ongoing season, the Amsterdammers have only aimed to defen d their title while progress
through to the knock-out stages of UEFA Champions League.
Frank de Boer, Ajax head coach, would not be satisfied for anything less than three points after dropping points in the opening game, and the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 player has urged his side to perform at their best throughout the 90
minutes to bag maximum points.
Head-to-Head statistics
Ajax have been the dominant force for the past few years, winning three of their last five encounters against the Nijmegen outfit while the remaining two games ended in stalemates.
Players to watch
Melvin Platje – NEC Nijmegen
The 23-year-old has commenced the 2012/13 campaign brightly, and would be keen to continue leading his side’s front-line in the same manner. The former FC Volendam striker will play an integral role should the Nijmegen outfit secure
a good result.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson – Ajax Amsterdam
The Icelandic ace scored the equaliser against AZ last week, and would be looking forward to add more to his tally on Sunday, August 18. It will be hard for the home side’s defenders to restrict the youngster from hitting the back
of the net.
Prediction
Both sides would be gunning to bag maximum points, and it seems to be a highly entertaining encounter. Ajax have an impressive record against NEC, and are the favourites to emerge victorious.
Predicted final score-line: NEC 1-2 Ajax.
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