NEC impresses in second half of competition

Jhon vna Buerekign

If the results of 2008 count only in the competition, NEC would be the surprising champion this half season :-).

In their last match against number 3 NAC they showed their tremendous form and will have good opportunities to win a UEFA cup ticket. NEC’s comeback is the result of great management. In the first half, the NEC fans wanted coach Mario Been’s head but - other than at Heerenveen and Breda - the NEC board supported their coach, and this is the result.

With the 8th spot in the ranking, NEC obtained the best finish in five years.

Goalie Gabor Babos: “What we achieved in the last months is remarkable. Our strength is that we never panicked. We knew we had a group with a lot of young talents and our coach was able to find the right balance.”

Striker Jhon van Beukering, not inexperienced with eight seasons of pro football but still a youngster: “The criticism was tough in the start of the year, but we never stopped believing in ourselves. With Lens with me up front and Brett Holman running two marathons per match sometimes you feel you can’t lose.”

Van Beukering, who by mistake was called Jhon instead of John (his dad was too nervous to write the name down right after little Jhonny was born ) got in trouble with Been earlier on, when Been benched the ex-Vitesse striker due to overweight. This was a result of little injuries and his inability to train regularly, but his goal against NAC was the breaking moment.

If NEC can keep this group intact, maybe adding one or two more experienced players and keeping Mario Been at the helm, NEC could be the surprise next season.