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13 clusters · 41 sources · 53 days · First seen · Last updated

NEC Nijmegen advances to Champions League play-offs

Overview

In early August 2026, NEC Nijmegen continued to fine-tune its squad ahead of the Champions League third-round tie with Olympiakos. Coach Dick Schreuder confirmed that Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano’s planned move to Hoffenheim had collapsed; the 22-year-old remains under contract until 2028 but is expected to leave later in the summer, with a transfer to PSV described as imminent. Sano, who missed the first leg after requesting to sit out citing fatigue, was also omitted from the 22-player A-list alongside fellow Japanese forward Koki Ogawa, who had only a week of training. Schreuder warned that players must accept such decisions or consider moving elsewhere. Amidst pre-season preparations, Schreuder expressed frustration with the club’s transfer policy, noting a need for more defenders and a goalkeeper. While the club secured Argentine goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettas, the squad faced significant injury concerns involving players such as Philippe Sandler, Yassin Moslih, Bram Nuytinck, and Perr Schuurs. Additionally, NEC’s ability to register a full squad was impacted by UEFA’s home-grown player requirements. Despite these challenges, NEC Nijmegen advanced to the Champions League play-offs after defeating Olympiakos. Following a 0-0 draw in Greece, the Dutch side secured a 2-1 extra-time victory at De Goffert with goals from Bryan Linssen and Emre Mor. New signing Dušan Tadić provided the assist for the equalizer. The club now prepares to face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt for a chance to reach the Champions League group stage. On August 23, 2026, Koki Ogawa officially departed the club to join FC Machida Zelvia in the J1 League. The 29-year-old returned to Japan after scoring 26 goals in 82 matches for NEC Nijmegen. Following Ogawa’s move, Kashiwa Reysol announced the permanent acquisition of Shota Fujio from Machida Zelvia.

Entities

NEC Nijmegen · Koki Ogawa · FC Machida Zelvia · Machida Zelvia · PSV Eindhoven

Timeline

  1. 22 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Koki Ogawa scores twice in Machida Zelvia comeback win

    Japan striker Koki Ogawa scored two goals as a substitute to lead FC Machida Zelvia to a 2-1 comeback win over Kawasaki Frontale, marking a successful return to the J1 League.

  2. 27 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    FC Machida Zelvia signs Koki Ogawa and nears deal for Thomas Ouwejan

    Koki Ogawa made his debut for FC Machida Zelvia in a 1-1 draw against Mito HollyHock. The club is also reportedly nearing a deal for NEC Nijmegen's Thomas Ouwejan.

  3. 30 days ago

    [SPORTS] 10 sources
    Koki Ogawa joins FC Machida Zelvia from NEC Nijmegen

    Japan national team forward Koki Ogawa joins FC Machida Zelvia from NEC Nijmegen to prepare for the World Cup, while Ipswich Town signs World Cup winner Ezequiel Palacios.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 7 sources
    Koki Ogawa transfers from NEC Nijmegen to FC Machida Zelvia

    Japan international forward Koki Ogawa has transferred from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen to J1 League side FC Machida Zelvia, marking his return to Japan after three years.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    NEC Nijmegen drops Japanese forwards Koki Ogawa, Kaito Sano from CL squad

    NEC Nijmegen left Japanese forwards Koki Ogawa and Kaito Sano out of its Champions League qualifiers, with coach Schrijder citing conditioning and team policy, while Sano seeks a move to PSV.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Koki Ogawa Excluded from NEC Nijmegen’s Champions League Squad

    Japanese striker Koki Ogawa was left out of NEC Nijmegen’s Champions League qualifying squad because the club failed to meet UEFA’s locally trained player requirements.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 8 sources
    NEC coach Dick Schreuder on cuts and injuries before Champions League tie

    NEC coach Dick Schreuder explained the exclusion of Koki Ogawa and Adam Tahaui, injury setbacks and a thin defensive line ahead of the Champions League tie with Olympiakos.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Gonzalo Crettas thanks Dick Schreuder after signing with NEC

    Gonzalo Crettas credits coach Dick Schreuder for his swift move to NEC Nijmegen, welcomes competition for the goalkeeper spot, and looks forward to the club’s Champions League tie with Olympiakos.

  9. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    NEC eyes European return as young star Dirk Proper battles injuries

    NEC prepares for a European tie with Olympiakos while academy star Dirk Proper, despite injury woes, remains key to the club's hopes.

  10. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    NEC Nijmegen coach criticises club over transfers after 1‑0 loss

    NEC Nijmegen lost 1‑0 to Elversberg; coach Nick Sreder criticised the club’s slow transfer policy ahead of Champions League qualifiers versus Olympiacos.

  11. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    NEC readies for Champions League draw, pursues new forwards

    NEC prepares for the Champions League draw, eyes signings of Dusan Tadic and Clement Bischoff, while Vitesse reports a confident preseason, saying “De voorbereiding loopt goed.”

  12. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    NEC eyes Champions League push as Kodai Sano and Kaj Sierhuis gear up

    NEC’s Kodai Sano stays focused amid stalled transfer talks, while new striker Kaj Sierhuis aims to repeat his Fortuna scoring form ahead of Champions League qualifiers.

  13. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    PSV's Sven Mijnans and NEC's Kodai Sano in focus as Dutch clubs navigate player roles and transfers

    PSV midfielder Sven Mijnans discusses his flexible role at a club with two leading strikers, while NEC’s Kodai Sano remains in transfer limbo after Hoffenheim deal fell through.

Sources

advertimes.com · ajaxshowtime.com · archive.in.gr · azfanpage.nl · deniksport.cz · dsveno.nl · dxmagazine.jp · filathlos.gr · football-zone.net · footballchannel.jp · gld.nl · goetheweb.jp · hochi.news · iSport.cz · japan.football-tribe.com · medium.seznam.cz · megatv.com · news.cube-soft.jp · news.mynavi.jp · omroepgelderland.nl · omroepzeeland.nl · planetzone.nl · qoly.jp · sakanowa.jp · shimotsuke.co.jp · shonai-nippo.co.jp · sknwk.nl · soccerdigestweb.com · sportiva.shueisha.co.jp · stukkenjagers.nl · tanea.gr · tecnologia.press · to10.gr · trouwehonden.nl · vi.nl · voetbalnieuws.nl · voetbalprimeur.nl · voetbalzone.nl · volley24.pl · waterwegsport.nl · web.gekisaka.jp

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history