Kaj Sierhuis Frustrated After Remaining Unused in NEC’s Draw With Levski Sofia
Kaj Sierhuis was left visibly disappointed after warming up but failing to make an appearance in NEC Nijmegen’s 1-1 draw with Levski Sofia on Thursday evening. The striker completed an extensive warm-up as manager Dick Schreuder considered his options, only to return to the bench without getting the chance to influence the match.
The decision attracted attention from supporters, particularly as NEC were still searching for a late breakthrough. With the score level and Bryan Linssen appearing tired, some fans expected Schreuder to introduce Sierhuis. Instead, the former Ajax, FC Groningen and Heracles Almelo forward remained unused, delaying his wait for a European debut with the Nijmegen club.
A Long Wait for a Regular Role at NEC
Sierhuis joined NEC from Fortuna Sittard on a free transfer last summer, arriving with experience across several Dutch clubs and a reputation as a hard-working centre-forward. The move offered an opportunity to establish himself in Nijmegen, but his opening period at the club has been difficult to describe as a clear success.
His opportunities in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie have been limited. Sierhuis has started only once, in NEC’s 3-0 defeat to SC Cambuur, and has made three further appearances as a substitute. On three other occasions, he has remained on the bench for the full match. That restricted involvement has made it challenging for him to build rhythm or make a sustained case for a regular starting place.
Thursday’s match appeared to offer a possible opening. Schreuder selected Linssen in attack against Levski Sofia, but Sierhuis was still asked to prepare as though he might be called upon. According to NEC reporter Maurice de Mandt of RN7 Online, the striker was allowed to complete a full warm-up before the manager ultimately decided against making the change.
Supporters Question Schreuder’s Late Decision
As the closing stages approached, Sierhuis had to sit down again. De Mandt reported that the striker looked visibly irritated by the situation. The reaction was understandable: warming up can signal that a player is close to entering, and being left out after preparing for a possible appearance can be especially frustrating when the team still has time to change the game.
NEC supporters also expressed confusion about the decision. With the match tied at 1-1, fans on X pointed to Linssen’s apparent fatigue and argued that a fresh forward might have offered a different option. Supporters inside the stadium made their feelings clear as well, chanting Sierhuis’s name shortly before the final whistle.
Those reactions do not necessarily mean that Sierhuis was certain to improve NEC’s attacking threat. Coaches make substitutions based on a range of factors, including tactical shape, fitness, match-ups and the risk of disrupting the team’s balance. Still, the combination of a full warm-up, a close scoreline and a tired-looking forward made the decision a natural talking point after the game.
What the Draw Means for NEC’s Attacking Options
A 1-1 result leaves NEC with a point from the European fixture, but the match also highlighted the choices Schreuder faces when selecting his frontline. Linssen’s experience may have made him the preferred option from the start, while Sierhuis could offer a more direct presence or fresh energy late in the contest. Whether those differences would have changed the outcome remains a matter of football prediction rather than certainty.
For Sierhuis, the priority will be turning limited opportunities into a stronger claim for minutes. Strikers often depend on regular involvement to develop timing with teammates and confidence in front of goal. When appearances are brief or infrequent, even a promising performance can be difficult to build upon. Training, attitude and the ability to take advantage of his next chance will therefore matter as much as the frustration of this particular evening.
Schreuder, meanwhile, may face questions about how he plans to use the striker over the coming weeks. NEC’s schedule includes a cup meeting with SPPCup on October 18, 2026, followed by an Eredivisie fixture against Fortuna Sittard on October 19. Those matches could provide another opportunity to rotate the attack, although selection will depend on the squad’s fitness and the demands of each competition.
Prediction: Sierhuis Still Has a Chance to Change His NEC Story
It is too early to draw firm conclusions about Sierhuis’s future at NEC based on one unused appearance. A player’s role can shift quickly during a season, especially when fixtures arrive in quick succession or injuries and tactical changes reshape the team. If he earns another opportunity, a sharp display could help alter the conversation around his place in Schreuder’s plans.
For now, the draw with Levski Sofia has left two questions hanging over NEC: how the team can make the most of its attacking options in tight matches, and when Sierhuis will receive a meaningful chance to contribute. The striker’s visible irritation reflected a player eager to play, while the supporters’ chants showed that many fans are also waiting to see what he can offer.
NEC’s next selections will provide a clearer indication of whether Thursday was simply a tactical choice or part of a broader pattern. Until then, Sierhuis remains a forward looking for his first European appearance in Nijmegen—and Schreuder must balance that individual ambition against the demands of getting results.
