FC Twente enjoyed a much-needed 2-0 victory against NEC Nijmegen at De Grolsch Veste on Sunday, February 20, 2023. This win was particularly significant for the home team as they sought to recover from their recent setback in Europa League competition, where they were eliminated by Bodø/Glimt.
The match kicked off with FC Twente quickly establishing control. Although NEC started the game with some intensity, it was Twente who struck first through Bas Kuipers. Just 19 minutes in, Kuipers, who previously played for NEC, found the back of the net following a free kick taken by Michel Vlap. His goal shifted the momentum firmly toward the Tukkers, who seemed to be rejuvenated by the lead.
Throughout the first half, the hosts maintained control of the match, with minimal dangerous opportunities coming from NEC. The visitors struggled with their creativity, and when they did manage to approach Twente's goal, they were met with solid defensive plays, limiting their execution.
Coming out for the second half, NEC was determined to fight back but was left frustrated by another VAR decision. Just minutes after the restart, NEC's Sami Ouaissa seemed to have earned his team a penalty when the ball apparently struck the arm of Twente defender Max Bruns. Despite fervent appeals from the NEC players, referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the incident via the pitch-side monitor but maintained his initial decision—no handball was called. This decision left the visitors feeling aggrieved as they searched for their equality.
NEC continued to press, and their efforts nearly paid off when Bryan Linssen had his shot saved spectacularly by FC Twente's keeper, Lars Unnerstall. With the dynamic on the pitch shifting, NEC started to carve out some opportunities, putting Twente's defense under increasing pressure.
Yet, the evening would belong to the Tukkers. Twente solidified their lead with Kuipers finding the back of the net again at the 80th minute, thanks to a setup from Ricky van Wolfswinkel. With two goals now to his name, Kuipers cemented Twente's victory and left NEC staring at another disappointing result.
After the final whistle, the result left NEC sitting twelfth on the Eredivisie table and signaled the start of a tough series of matches, with Feyenoord, Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht, and AZ looming as their upcoming opponents. Coach Rogier Meijer’s team will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn their fortunes around.
Meanwhile, FC Twente, with this win, closes the gap on third-placed Feyenoord, who are now only one point clear. This victory also extends Twente's impressive streak of being unbeaten at home, boasting seventeen games without defeat at De Grolsch Veste.
Both teams will have to reflect on their performance, but the pressing need for rehabilitation fell more heavily on NEC, who will need to find ways to overcome their inconsistencies if they wish to rise from their current standings. The pressure mounts for Meijer as they face challenges ahead jointly underlined by their recent performance and the upcoming matches.
With this result, FC Twente reaffirms their ambition within the league, returning to winning ways as they pursue their objectives for the season as the Eredivisie continues.