Ponk 6.0 Van den Brink 5.0 Zwaanswijk 6.0 Shew-Atjon 5.5 Broerse 5.5 Zuidam 6.0 Tanghe 6.5 Jean-Paul de Jong 6.0 Van den Bergh 5.5 De Groot 5.0 Fujita 6.5
UTRECHT, August 31 (Eredivisie) - A first-half goal from Resit Schuurman secured NEC's first points of the season against a previously unbeaten Utrecht side. Schuurman netted the only goal of the afternoon three minutes before the half-time interval. NEC withstood the home side's pressure, despite being reduced to 10 men when Rob Wielaert was dismissed for a second booking four minutes from time. The result was harsh on a Utrecht side who did most of the running and created the best chances. They should have taken an early lead when Donny de Groot was sent clean though, but the striker fired his shot straight at NEC keeper Dennis Gentenaar's legs. Stefaan Tanghe was next to go close for the hosts when his shot from inside the box flashed just wide of the right post. NEC were lively on the counter-attack, and had their first chance in the 35th minute. Former Bolton Wanderers striker Fabien de Freitas capped off a swift move with a low right-foot shot, which forced home keeper Rene Ponk to make a great save. Their was little Ponk could do, however, about Schuurman's goal in the 42nd minute. De Freitas was again involved, with his neat lay-off smashed home by the midfielder. Toshiya Fujita should have levelled matters midway through the second period, but his shot from close range was brilliantly stopped on the line by Gentenaar. With Utrecht pushing forward NEC almost took advantage with another quick break forward, but this time Dejan Govedarcia's header went just wide. NEC even survived having a man dismissed to hang on for their maiden win of the campaign. Rob Wielaert was shown a red card in the closing stages after a foul earned him a second yellow card.