A-League graduate helps NAC Breda stun Ajax in Eredivisie

Former Central Coast Mariners star Max Balard helped NAC Breda upstage Dutch giants Ajax 2-1 in a huge result in the Eredivisie.

Balard starred as newly promoted NAC claimed their first win of the season two rounds into 2024-25 – a result that snapped a 17-year drought against Ajax.

A two-time Isuzu UTE A-League champion with the Mariners before securing a move to Europe at the end of last season, Balard’s NAC celebrated their first win over the Amsterdam club since 2008 and first in the league since 2007.

Balard won possession to help setup the first goal at home to Ajax.

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𝐖𝐢𝐣 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐀𝐂 𝐍𝐀𝐂 𝐍𝐀𝐂 𝐍𝐀𝐂 𝐍𝐀𝐂 🎶#NACpraat #NACaja pic.twitter.com/0fte2BgbvH
— NAC Breda 💛🖤 (@NACnl) August 18, 2024

“This felt like a fairytale evening,” match-winner Jan Van den Bergh told ESPN. “It was really beautiful.

“We knew that it had to be this way if we wanted to do something against Ajax. In terms of football, we have to acknowledge Ajax as our superior. That is no shame, so you have to fight to get a result. With this result, all the hard work is worth it.”

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Balard, a treble-winning midfield in Gosford, played the entire match and impressed in front of a sea of yellow on Monday (AEST).

Before the match, Balard sat down with ESPN for an interview and spoke of his dream to play for the Subway Socceroos as he follows in the footsteps of Australia boss Graham Arnold, who spent two years at NAC Breda.

“I have the idea that I am close to it”, said Balard. “And the chance will be bigger if I can show myself at NAC, in a bigger competition.”

𝐎𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 💛🖤#NACpraat #NACaja pic.twitter.com/hlCHKYcFpP
— NAC Breda 💛🖤 (@NACnl) August 18, 2024

The 23-year-old was contracted for another season on the Coast but the Mariners agreed to a free transfer to facilitate his move abroad – a decision the club stated was “in recognition of his exemplary service and dedication to the Mariners”.

Balard made his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in 2021 and went on to accrue 81 league appearances for the club.

The central midfielder became a mainstay in the Mariners’ starting XI in 2023-24 and was a core figure in the club’s trophy treble of the Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership and Championship, as well as the AFC Cup title.

His final game for the club came in the 2024 Grand Final triumph over Melbourne Victory – a result that confirmed both the player and club’s status as back-to-back Isuzu UTE A-League Champions.