Excelsior Punish Early Red Card as NAC Breda Slip Deeper into Trouble

Excelsior capitalized on NAC Breda’s early dismissal to claim a crucial 2-0 victory at the Rat Verlegh Stadion, moving eight points clear of the relegation-threatened hosts.

The match turned decisively in the 12th minute when Ruben Hillen’s reckless challenge earned NAC Breda a straight red card, leaving Carl Hoefkens’ side to play 78 minutes a man down. Excelsior, who had managed just one win in their previous five league outings, showed admirable composure to exploit their numerical advantage.

Emil Hansson opened the scoring six minutes after the dismissal, converting expertly to put the visitors ahead against the run of early play. The Swedish winger’s strike came as NAC were still reorganizing following Hillen’s departure, highlighting the immediate impact of playing with ten men at this level.

Ilia Yegoian doubled Excelsior’s lead on the half-hour mark with a clinical finish that effectively killed the contest before the interval. The away side’s ability to press home their advantage demonstrated the tactical maturity that has seen them occupy mid-table respectability despite their modest goal difference of minus-13.

NAC Breda’s afternoon went from bad to worse as they struggled to create meaningful chances whilst chasing the game. The hosts, sitting 18th with just 16 points from 22 matches, were forced into five substitutions as Carl Hoefkens desperately sought to find a route back into the contest.

The defeat extends NAC’s concerning form of just one win in their last five league matches, leaving them increasingly isolated at the foot of the Eredivisie table. With their points-per-game average of 0.73 highlighting their struggles throughout the campaign, this latest setback suggests a long battle ahead to preserve their top-flight status.

For Excelsior, the victory represents a welcome return to winning ways after four successive draws, moving them comfortably into the top half of the table with 26 points.