De Treffers Stun Heracles Almelo to Reach KNVB Cup Second Round
De Treffers produced one of the biggest surprises of the opening round of the Eurojackpot KNVB Cup, defeating Eerste Divisie leaders Heracles Almelo 1-0 at Sportpark Zuid. Sebastiaan van Bakel scored the decisive goal in the second half, while Heracles’ task became harder when Ivan Borac was sent off shortly after the break.
The result sends De Treffers into the second round and ends Heracles’ cup campaign at the first hurdle. For Theo Janssen’s side, it was a memorable performance built on energetic pressing, disciplined defending and a willingness to test a higher-ranked opponent. Heracles, meanwhile, will be left to consider a frustrating evening in which possession did not translate into a goal.
De Treffers Begin Without Fear
Heracles arrived in Groesbeek as the favourites, but made wholesale changes and fielded an entirely second-string team. De Treffers took advantage of the unfamiliarity in the visitors’ lineup, starting brightly and creating several promising openings during the first half.
Bas Brussaard came close after around 15 minutes, sending a shot narrowly wide. Tim Waterink and Van Bakel also looked dangerous as the hosts pushed forward with confidence. Their early approach offered a clear message: De Treffers were not content simply to defend and hope for a lucky break.
Heracles gradually settled into the contest and began to control more of the ball, using patient passing moves to try to pull the home defence out of position. Tristan van Gilst sent a free-kick over the crossbar, while De Treffers goalkeeper Timo Jansink stopped Borac’s effort following a corner.
The best opportunity of the first half, however, fell to the home side. Willem den Dekker found space close to goal but fired well over, letting Heracles off the hook. Brussaard then tested Jansink with a powerful effort from the right. The goalkeeper managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar, preserving the scoreless draw before half-time.
Possession Fails to Give Heracles an Edge
The half-time statistics reflected the contrast in styles. Heracles had 61 per cent possession, but De Treffers recorded seven attempts to the visitors’ five. The hosts’ direct attacking play repeatedly created danger, while Heracles struggled to turn their control of the ball into clear-cut chances.
Heracles began the second half with greater urgency, and Jeff Reine-Adélaïde appeared to have put them ahead in the 54th minute. The celebrations were short-lived: the goal was ruled out for offside, keeping De Treffers level and the home crowd fully involved.
Just a minute later, the match took another decisive turn. Borac was shown a second yellow card after blocking the ball with his upper arm, leaving Heracles with ten men. The dismissal forced the visitors to adjust their plans, and three substitutions followed as they tried to steady the game and maintain an attacking threat.
Van Bakel Delivers the Decisive Moment
De Treffers made their numerical advantage count in the 61st minute. Kane Keizer drove down the right and sent a low cross into the penalty area. Van Bakel reacted quickly, reaching the ball ahead of Vicente Robles before guiding it past Jansink to make it 1-0.
The goal sparked celebrations around Sportpark Zuid and gave the hosts a precious lead with nearly half an hour still to play. It was a simple, effective move: Keizer supplied the delivery, Van Bakel attacked the space decisively, and De Treffers punished a Heracles defence that had been forced to reorganise after the red card.
Rather than retreating completely, De Treffers continued to look for a second goal. Jansink saved another effort from Keizer, while Jari van Ginkel struck the crossbar from a corner shortly afterwards. Those missed chances left the tie open, giving Heracles hope of rescuing the match late on.
Late Heracles Pressure Comes Up Short
Mist thickened over the pitch as the final minutes approached, making visibility increasingly difficult from the sidelines. Heracles pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but De Treffers defended their lead with determination. N’Djoli came closest for the visitors, heading just over the bar with two minutes remaining.
That late opportunity proved to be Heracles’ final major opening. De Treffers held on through the closing moments, completing a cup upset that will be remembered by the club and its supporters. The victory also underlined the unpredictable appeal of knockout football: league position and possession may shape expectations, but a well-organised underdog can change the story with one decisive attack.
What the Result Means for Both Teams
For De Treffers, reaching the KNVB Cup second round is a significant achievement and a reward for a performance that combined ambition with resilience. Their strongest moments came when they moved the ball forward quickly and committed runners into the attacking areas. Van Bakel’s goal was the headline moment, but the team’s defensive concentration and Jansink’s saves were equally important to the result.
Heracles will be disappointed to exit so early, particularly after controlling much of the possession. Their rotated lineup may have affected their rhythm, while Borac’s dismissal changed the balance of the contest just as the visitors were beginning to build momentum. The disallowed goal and missed opportunities also proved costly.
For supporters following the cup, this match offers plenty to consider ahead of the next round. Any future football prediction involving De Treffers will need to account for the confidence gained from defeating a leading professional side. Heracles, by contrast, must turn their attention back to league competition and find a more clinical edge in front of goal.
Other KNVB Cup Results
De Treffers were not the only team to advance in the opening-round action. GVVV defeated Noordwijk 3-0, while Hoek beat Sparta Nijkerk 4-2. Purmersteijn needed extra time to overcome Gemert 2-0, and AFC also progressed after a 2-1 extra-time victory over ACV Assen.
With De Treffers through to the second round, attention now turns to the next draw and the possibility of another high-profile test. After eliminating Heracles, the Groesbeek side will approach their next cup fixture believing that another surprise is possible.
