2023/28 Kodai Sano | 2024/26 Kento Shiogai | 2023- Koki Ogawa @ NEC (NED)

Full time

 

They managed to win again, against Eindhoven, and again with 3-2 and again with a great Sano game and again with a Sano assist to make it 2-0 ^^.

Sano couldn't be better, he is outstanding. Hard to argue to not start him at the WC.

 

He can at least get a call up next week and trialled in the attacking midfield role since Minamino is out.

 

He should considered for the CDM role I think and Suzuki for the AM.

A call up is the absolutely minimum, everything else would be deadly insane.

 

Cup Final tension rises: hundreds of AZ and NEC supporters' buses to De Kuip
The cup fever has been rising for days among football supporters in both Alkmaar and Nijmegen. Thousands of AZ and NEC fans will head to De Kuip in Rotterdam this afternoon for the KNVB Cup final. It is also a party all day in Alkmaar and Nijmegen. About 210 buses depart from Nijmegen to Rotterdam. Supporters were ready on the NXP site long before departure, writes Omroep Gelderland.

NEC supporters can't wait for the bus to leave

Nijmegen has been turning red, green and black for days. Flags and balloons with the club colors hang throughout the city. Some companies cleverly respond to the cup fever, for example with a special red-green frikandel at the local snack bar. There are NEC pastries in the supermarkets.

Many fans couldn't wait any longer. Last night, about 3000 supporters gathered in the NEC fan zone on the Grote Markt in Nijmegen. Thousands of people are expected again today.

Party on the eve of the final

Hundreds of AZ fans gathered at the stadium in Alkmaar this morning. From there, 166 buses depart for Rotterdam. Among the many supporters in red and white is also mayor Anja Schouten. She does not venture to make a prediction. "But I'm sure we're going to be proud," she told NH. Alkmaar has also been coloring in the club colors for days. The "Accijnstoren" (Excise Tower) on the Bierkade (Beer Quay) in Alkmaar was lit up in red and white last night.



On the Paardenmarkt there is a stage with a large screen for fans who are not in Rotterdam. The cup final starts at 18:00. There is a lot at stake for both clubs: AZ won the KNVB Cup in 2013 for the last time. NEC was still in the final in 2024, but then lost to Feyenoord.

 

Ogawa came in scored but Nijmegen lost 1-4 sadly.

Edit: 1-5...my god + Alkmaar scored another one but was ruled off by VAR.

 

FC Twente - NEC

 

Full time:

 

NEC - Telstar

 

Crucial match, a must win and points loss for FC Twente and Ajax are needed to get the 3d spot for CL football:

 

Team of the Season:

 

A very much deserved spot.
I'm a huge fan of him and would have liked to see him join Feyenoord.
If it's true he didnot make the WC selection, someone has a load of shit in his eyes.
He simply is very, very good.

 

Of course its true yes.
Dissapointing. Bet he leaves for a better league.

 

Does he want to go to a club not playing CL?
He has the chance to qualify with NEC in the CL qualifiers.
Now he can go to better leagues, but not to top clubs.
I'm pretty sure, if NEC manages to make it into the group stage, he's going to impress in the CL and attract the attention of top clubs.
Edit: He said in an interview with VI he hasnot got any offers, only rumors.

 

I think he is still underestimated here. Kodai Sano is not playing a good or great season. This season was world-class, outstanding and phenomenal. I would go that far, that he is our most in form player and maybe actually our best player out of all JNT players.

Of course it's hard to compare cause of different leagues etc. But I have the feeling Kodai Sano is not getting enough attention.

Moriyasu is sick.

 

I've the feeling that Moriyasu will end his mandate with an atrocious WC. Anyway Sano and all the others will have their chance with the new manager and AFC Cup 2027. Not so far.