Feyenoord lost 3-2 defeat to NAC Breda in the opening match of the Europa League playoff semi-final Saturday night. After a scoreless opening half NAC jumped to a two goal lead near the hour mark before Roy Makaay pulled one back for the Rotterdammers. That was a close as it got as both sides added late goals to bring the match to its final score. The second leg head to de Kuip on Thursday with Feyenoord needing a win to advance.
In the early stages of the match Feyenoord owned momentum but slowly the home side grew in strength. Donny Gorter's free-kick beat 'keeper Henk Timmer midway of the first half but luckily for Leon Vlemmings men, went off the post. Despite evenly played at the half, NAC came out of the change rooms in a mood to dominate and added two goals before the hour. Eleven minutes after the restart Donny Gorter's free-kick was headed back by Patrick Zwaanswijk with Rob Penders sending the ball in from a close range. Only four minutes later Kelvin Leerdam was adjudged a penalty for a handball and in Gorter converted from the spot. Nine minutes later Feyenoord were gifted a route back into the match as Tom van der Leegte was cited for a debatable handball and without fail, Roy Makaay sent the ball in to make it 2-1. NAC restored its two goal lead with seven minutes left as Matthew Amoah played through Anthony Lurling only to head in a resulting cross. With time ticking down Jon Dahl Tomasson was brought down in the area by Tom van der Leegte and with the spot pointed to, the Danish international made it 3-2.
In the early stages of the match Feyenoord owned momentum but slowly the home side grew in strength. Donny Gorter's free-kick beat 'keeper Henk Timmer midway of the first half but luckily for Leon Vlemmings men, went off the post. Despite evenly played at the half, NAC came out of the change rooms in a mood to dominate and added two goals before the hour. Eleven minutes after the restart Donny Gorter's free-kick was headed back by Patrick Zwaanswijk with Rob Penders sending the ball in from a close range. Only four minutes later Kelvin Leerdam was adjudged a penalty for a handball and in Gorter converted from the spot. Nine minutes later Feyenoord were gifted a route back into the match as Tom van der Leegte was cited for a debatable handball and without fail, Roy Makaay sent the ball in to make it 2-1. NAC restored its two goal lead with seven minutes left as Matthew Amoah played through Anthony Lurling only to head in a resulting cross. With time ticking down Jon Dahl Tomasson was brought down in the area by Tom van der Leegte and with the spot pointed to, the Danish international made it 3-2.
