Feyenoord beaten in final preseason test

Looking only at the results, Feyenoord could not be happy with how their preseason has gone. After losing 3-0 to Panathinaikos and drawing 2-2 with Angers SCO, the third fixture in the list at De Kuip also left Feyenoord winless. Head coach Jaap Stam’s side seemed to be heading for another draw, only for the visitors to dig out the win in the final stages.

But despite the loss, Feyenoord did show some promise in the traditional preseason curtain-raiser. The hosts put in a fairly good performance, with occasional flashes of inspiration up front.

That did not lead to a positive result, not least due to a Saints double strike in the first half that was as unfortunate as it was unnecessary. A Sven van Beek mistake as early as the sixth minute handed the visitors the lead, while the hosts also surrendered possession in the lead up to the second goal.

It could have been so different for Feyenoord, who might have scored more than a solitary goal before the break, given the host of chances they created. Orkun Kökcü claimed the strike midway through the half, crowning an excellent offensive move. The attacking midfielder finished with his left foot after Dylan Vente’s good running and final pass. Vente also had a good opportunity himself, as did Steven Berghuis and Luis Sinisterra, but Feyenoord went in a goal down at the end of the first half.

In that first 45 minutes Stam also had to deal with the early loss of Sam Larsson. The Swede retired after getting a knee in the back. Late on in the half Van Beek was also forced to the sidelines. Stam said post-match that both players would be assessed on Monday.

After the break, the home side continued to knock on the door, with Liam Kelly, Luciano Narsingh and Naoufal Bannis among the subs. The closest they came was through Wouter Burger in the final stages. Burger almost celebrated a fine performance with a goal, but Bannis got in the way, although he knew little of it. In the end the visitors stretched their lead just before the end through Sofiane Boufal to claim a somewhat flattering victory.