NEC picked up their first point in European competition on Thursday. The Nijmegen drew their home game 1-1 with Levski Sofia. Tjarron Chery got the goal for NEC after Reinaldo had put the visitors ahead in the first half in the Europa League fixture.
The draw marked NEC’s first home match in the league phase of a European competition in 18 years. The Nijmegen club qualified for the Europa League after finishing third in the Eredivisie last season, the highest league position in its history.
It is the second 1-1 draw for NEC in a row after the point they gained at the Johan Cruijff Arena last weekend. NEC had been hammered in their first Europa League game weeks ago, losing 5-0 to Juventus.
NEC almost took the lead in the 14th minute. Tom Bischoff played a good cross into the danger area to Chery, whose header from close range was saved before Kevin Kers’ effort went far over the goal.
Sofia had a goal disallowed in the 14th minute after two errors in quick succession from defender Perr Schuurs, and the defender was at fault for the first legal goal of the game in the 35th minute.
Reinaldo, who had also escaped the NEC defence for a chance midway through the first half, spun away from Schuurs in a one-on-one duel before placing the ball into the far corner.
NEC were gifted an equalizer in the 64th minute. Levski Sofia keeper Svetoslav Vutsov played a pass straight to Chery, who then only had to play the ball into the vacant goal.
Both sides created little towards the end of the game. NEC piled on the pressure but were mostly unable to trouble Vutsov.
NEC have little time to dwell on the missed opportunity, with Fortuna Sittard visiting Nijmegen on Sunday. Dick Schreuder’s side will then travel to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb on October 22 in their third Europa League league-phase fixture.
