Roda JC came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over FC Groningen in their opening match of the new Eredivisie campaign.

The Kerkrade club fell behind to a Leandro Bacuna penalty after Ruud Vormer was sent off for the foul, as Groningen tried to banish thoughts of their shoot-out defeat to ADO Den Haag in a UEFA Europa League play-off at the end of last season.

However, Roda roared back thanks to Mark-Jan Fledderus' free-kick 14 minutes from time and Sanharib Malki when he slotted home after receiving a pass from Mads Junker two minutes from time.

NEC Nijmegen scored twice in the final seven minutes to draw 2-2 with ten-man Heerenveen. Heerenveen had looked on course for a comfortable opening-day win when Luciano Narsingh's 70th-minute strike had fired them into a two-goal lead after Oussama Assaidi's opener.

The hosts threw away victory in a breathless end to the match, though, when Bram Nuytinck pulled a goal back on 83 minutes and, after Viktor Elm was shown a straight red card, Stef Nijland snatched a share of the spoils.

Newly-promoted RKC Waalwijk staged an even later recovery, striking twice in the final five minutes to seal a 2-2 draw at home to Heracles Almelo. Heracles led through Everton in the 32nd minute and the three points looked all but certain when Glynor Plet's deflected strike found the net ten minutes from time.

However, RKC were given a chance to get back into the game when Antoine van der Linden tripped Ricky ten Voorde in the box, conceding a penalty which Robert Braber converted. Van der Linden was sent off for the foul, and Heracles could not hold on as Ten Voorde levelled at the death.

VVV Venlo and FC Utrecht played out a goalless draw in Saturday's late kick-off. The home side finished the game with ten men as substitute Rogier Molhoek was sent off with ten minutes left to play.