Andrija Novakovich goal caps off decisive win

American striker Andrija Novakovich notched a stoppage time goal yesterday for Fortuna Sittard in the club’s 4-1 Eredivisie victory over Excelsior. It was the United States international’s second goal in four games.

After receiving the ball on the left flank, about 25 yards from goal, Novakovich calmly dribbled past the lone defender challenging him and buried the ball in the net from 6 yards out.

It was the 6’4’’ striker’s fifth league goal of the season and sixth in all competitions. He last scored on January 23, in a 4-1 loss against Feyenoord, in the Quarter-Finals of the KNVB (Dutch) Cup.

With the win, Fortuna is four points clear of the relegation playoffs and up to ninth in the Eredivisie standings. With the bottom half of the Eredivisie table incredibly tight, the team is still very much fighting to avoid relegation.

Novakovich had a long scoreless run, from late September until late January, but looks to be in much better form now. He will hope to continue his good form, in order to earn a callup for the USMNT’s March friendlies against Chile and Ecuador.