Heracles coach Vincent Heilmann had plenty to say about the advantage Eredivisie “B” teams enjoy in the Eerste Divisie, then his players blasted his words out of context, smashing six past Jong FC Utrecht on Monday night. In another chaotic weekend across the Dutch second tier, Will Burns brings you all the drama and talking points.
I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official or ESPN.nl’s YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.
FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2026
FC DEN BOSCH 5-2 FC EINDHOVEN
FC Eindhoven suffered a heavy defeat in the first Brabant derby of the season at De Vliert on Friday night. Kevin van Veen marked his return with an early tap‑in from Mika de Jonge’s low cross, but Den Bosch hit back quickly through Sebastian Karlsson‑Grach. From that moment on, the home side took full control. Karlsson‑Grach struck again from a Mees Laros cross, and although Siegert Baartmans briefly thought he had equalised, his header was ruled out for offside. Before the break, Kevin Monzialo punished more slack defending to make it 3–1.
Den Bosch continued strongly after half‑time, with Devon de Corte heading wide before placing the 4–1 goal into the corner in the 53rd minute. Eindhoven pulled one back late on through Hyman Ali’s neat header, but the hosts had the final word. In stoppage time, Jort Borgmans saved Sheddy Barglan’s initial effort but could do nothing about the rebound, sealing a convincing 5–2 win for Den Bosch.
FC DORDRECHT 0-1 RODA JC
Dordrecht came away empty‑handed on Friday evening, losing 1–0 at home to Roda JC. The first half was evenly balanced, with both sides pushing forward, but Joshua Nisbet’s strike after 22 minutes proved decisive. Dordrecht tried to respond before the break and came out with greater intensity in the second half, creating several chances as the match grew increasingly physical. New signing Lucas Román made his debut, adding energy to the home side’s push for an equaliser.
Despite strong support from the stands and continued pressure in the closing stages, Dordrecht couldn’t find a breakthrough and suffered a narrow defeat. Off the pitch, the club confirmed that they had reached an agreement with SC Telstar on the transfer of their captain Sem Valk, who will move to the Velsen‑Zuid.
FC EMMEN 3-1 JONG AZ
FC Emmen continued their strong start with a convincing 3–1 win over Jong AZ, with the Drenthe side sitting in second. The first half was difficult for Emmen, who struggled to break down the visitors, but the match shifted after the interval. Nelson Amadin opened the scoring shortly after the break, and ten minutes later Freddy Quispel doubled the lead with his fourth goal of the season.
Michael Breij then produced the highlight of the evening, unleashing a stunning long‑range strike to make it 3–0 on 71 minutes. Yoel van de Ban pulled one back for Jong AZ with six minutes to go, but it did little to change the outcome. Emmen’s victory was never in doubt.
HELMOND SPORT 1-1 RKC WAALWIJK
RKC Waalwijk took a point from Friday night’s trip to Helmond Sport, drawing 1–1 at the GS Staalwerken Stadion. Despite dominating possession throughout the first half, RKC went into the break trailing after Mauro Lenaerts finished off a quick counter down the left. The visitors pushed for an equaliser before half‑time, but efforts from a free kick and a long‑range strike by Thijs van Leeuwen were dealt with by the Helmond defence.
After the interval, RKC continued to search for openings. Van Leeuwen forced a save from Menno Bergsen early on, and the pressure finally paid off ten minutes from time. Faissal Al Mazyani whipped in a cross from the flank, and Yoram van der Veen was perfectly placed to fire in the deserved 1–1. Helmond Sport nearly retook the lead moments later, but goalkeeper Niek Schiks stood firm. In a lively final phase both sides chased a winner, with Helmond Sport going closest in the last minute when a shot flew just over. RKC ultimately returned home with a point.
MVV MAASTRICHT 1-0 FC VOLENDAM
FC Volendam failed to take points from their trip to MVV Maastricht, losing 1–0 in Limburg after a bizarre own goal. The relegated side has now dropped points for the second time this season, while MVV — under Andries Jonker — continue their perfect start with nine points from three matches.
Volendam struggled to create chances and fell behind shortly after the break when defender Erik Schouten misjudged a corner and turned the ball into his own net on 53 minutes. The Palingboeren never recovered and failed to score again, in a match that saw six cards dished out by referee Stan Teuben.
VITESSE ARNHEM 0-3 ALMERE CITY
Almere City picked up an impressive away win at Vitesse, pulling away after a balanced first half at the Gelredome. The game only truly opened up after the break. Ferdy Druijf broke the deadlock with a fine finish from a cross by former Vitesse defender Enzo Cornelisse, and substitute Marley Dors made an immediate impact after coming off the bench with Druijf with the assist.
Dors then became supplier himself after he cut inside and beat the goalkeeper at the near post, before Emanuel Poku sealed the result late on with a powerful strike for three. Vitesse failed to score any reply despite shooting 21 times. The victory lifts Almere City to fourth place, while Vitesse drop to 11th.
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2026
NAC BREDA 3-2 JONG AJAX
NAC kept all three points in Breda after a hard‑fought 3–2 win over Jong Ajax. The home side started well, taking an early lead when Rio Hillen’s cross was missed by goalkeeper Joeri Heerkens and headed into his own net by Marvin Muzungu. Soumano missed a big chance to double the score, while Michael Verrips kept NAC ahead with a strong save at the other end. After the break, Jong Ajax equalised through Diego Pugno following a chaotic corner that NAC had to defend with nine men due to the new temporary‑substitution rule. Substitutes Mats Seuntjens and Paul Gladon then combined to restore the lead, with Seuntjens setting up Gladon for an emotional 2–1.
A soft back‑pass from Jan Van den Bergh gifted Emre Ünüvar the 2–2 equaliser, but NAC found a late winner. Eighteen‑year‑old Pepijn Reulen reacted quickest to a rebound from a corner and slotted in the decisive goal, securing the victory. NAC now sit on six points from three matches, while Ajax have suffered three consecutive defeats.
SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026
VVV VENLO 2-1 DE GRAAFSCHAP
After last weeks painful 5-2 defeat at home to Jong AZ, De Graafschap were desperate for redemption on Sunday and VVV helped them early on. Defensive chaos allowed Julian Kania to tap in the opener with ease, but the home side responded well and grew into the match. Just before half‑time, Nassim Ait Mouhou levelled with a flying header, and moments later Raf Vullers completed the turnaround by firing in the 2–1 from a difficult angle.
De Graafschap pushed hard for an equaliser after the break, with Kaya Symons going close from distance, but VVV goalkeeper Youri Schoonderwaldt held firm. That left coach Rick Dijkhuizen, who actually managed De Graafschap from January 2025 to June 2026, celebrating a second straight win. Thomas Duivenvoorden’s struggling side remain on just one point after three matches, while VVV have made a solid start with six points from three games.
MONDAY 17TH AUGUST 2026
JONG PSV 1-0 TOP OSS
TOP Oss are still waiting for their first points after three rounds. Sjors Ultee’s side lost this game despite keeping the hosts under control for much of the match. The best chance even fell to TOP, when Marcelencio Esajas struck the underside of the crossbar after a clever move from Franslyn Nsingi.
Just before half‑time, Jong PSV made them pay. Joël van den Berg pounced on sloppy defending and scored the only goal of the night.
JONG FC UTRECHT 1-6 HERACLES
Earlier in the weekend, Heracles coach Vincent Heilmann voiced a strong opposition to the inclusion of reserve sides in the division, calling their participation as “match‑fixing” and arguing it undermines fair competition. Ahead of the clash with Jong FC Utrecht, Heilmann told Tubantia that the unpredictability of reserve team line‑ups, which can feature first‑team players worth millions, creates an uneven playing field. He pointed to recent examples, including Jong Utrecht’s use of senior squad members and Jong PSV fielding high‑value first-teamers against FC Volendam, warning that such disparities could ultimately influence promotion battles.
So in a total contradiction to his comments, Heilmann’s side pumped Utrecht 6-1!!! They couldn’t have asked for a better start, after just two minutes the referee pointed to the spot, and Tristan van Gilst calmly converted. Moments later, Sem Scheperman doubled the lead with a brilliant strike into the top corner. A quiet half‑hour followed, but Heracles then exploded with two goals in two minutes: the man again, Jean‑Paul N’Djoli made it 3-0, Van Gilst added his second, and just before half‑time Mario Borac headed in number five.
Utrecht pulled one back after the break through Björn Menzo, but Heracles quickly responded. N’Djoli struck again for his second of the evening, taking his season tally to six. The French forward has now scored at least two goals in every league match so far.Vitesse won a penalty and veteran left-back Alexander Büttner stepped up but missed.
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