NAC Breda vs VVV Venlo: Eerste Divisie Clash After Opening Chaos
NAC Breda welcome VVV Venlo to the Rat Verlegh Stadion in Breda on Friday evening for matchday two of the 2026/27 Eerste Divisie season. Both clubs were relegated last term and experienced chaotic opening weekends, with NAC snatching a stoppage-time winner at TOP Oss and VVV on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller against Heracles Almelo.
Opening Weekend Chaos: NAC’s Late Heist vs VVV’s Seven-Goal Defeat
NAC left it as late as is possible at TOP Oss. After Franslyn Nsingi punished slack defending for an early 1-0 lead, NAC created chances through Paul Gladon and Rio Hillen, but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Mike Havekotte. Substitute Moussa Soumano finally levelled from a rebound in the 69th minute, and just as a share of the spoils looked likely, coach Carl Hoefkens introduced 18-year-old Reulen in the 90th minute. Two minutes later the teenager was in the right place to fire NAC to a 2-1 victory, grabbing all three points with virtually the last kick.
VVV’s evening was even more harrowing. At home against fellow newcomers Heracles Almelo, they fell 3-0 behind after goals by Tristan van Gilst (penalty), David Vicente Robles and Jean-Paul N’Djoli. Dean Zandbergen then dragged VVV right back into it with two goals in five minutes, before substitute Devy Hendrikx sensationally lobbed the goalkeeper for 3-3 in the 86th minute. The joy lasted only two minutes. N’Djoli struck again to make it 4-3, and a stoppage-time VVV equaliser was ruled out for offside, leaving them with nothing from a breathtaking encounter.
Team News and Injury Latest
No fresh injury concerns have emerged from the opening fixtures, but both managers have selection decisions to make. Hoefkens could hand teenager Reulen his first start after the youngster’s immortal impact off the bench, while VVV boss may be tempted to reward Zandbergen’s brace with a place in the starting XI. NAC’s Paul Gladon, who struck the bar at Oss, and VVV’s Chafik Abbas, who won the penalty against Heracles, are both expected to retain their roles.