Roda must put final day disappointment behind them to turn around first leg deficit against NAC Breda | OneFootball

Roda only narrowly missed out on promotion to the Eredivisie in the final game of the season. The side faced Groningen in a straight shoot out for the final automatic promotion spot behind Willem II. Roda were three points ahead of their opponents but had an inferior goal difference. Groningen ended up winning 2-0 at home to steal the final automatic spot and send Roda to the play-offs.

They faced eighth placed NAC Breda, a side they finished 19 points ahead of in the regular season. However, it was clear they had not recovered from their final day heartbreak as their opponents took a 3-1 first leg lead at the Rat Verlegh Stadion. On Friday evening the two sides will meet at the Parkstad Limburg just outside of Kerkrade on the border with Germany, where Roda will now be under immense pressure not to waste what had been a fantastic season up until the final day.

For Breda, they only just made the play-offs on goal difference and took their opportunity in the first leg with both hands. The side have been playing second tier Dutch football since being relegated from the Eredivisie at the end of the 2018/2019 season.

For Roda, they have been in the second tier since Eredivisie relegation during the 2017/2018 season. This has been their best season in the second tier since relegation, but that will count for nothing if they cannot overturn the two goal deficit at home.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson