De Treffers Stuns Heracles 1-0 in KNVB Cup Upset

De Treffers Eliminates Heracles Almelo in KNVB Cup Upset

De Treffers pulled off a major upset in the first round of the Eurojackpot KNVB Cup on Thursday evening, defeating Keuken Kampioen Divisie leaders Heracles Almelo 1-0 at Sportpark Zuid. Sebastiaan van Bakel scored the decisive goal, while Theo Janssen’s side capitalized on a red card to secure their place in the next round. The victory knocks the higher-division leaders out of the tournament in a tightly contested fixture played under thickening mist in Groesbeek.

First-Half Chances and Tactical Battle

From the opening whistle, De Treffers pressed forward and generated multiple scoring opportunities. Bas Brussaard shot narrowly wide after a quarter of an hour, while Tim Waterink and Van Bakel also threatened the Heracles defense.

Heracles gradually established more control through possession-based play. Tristan van Gilst sent a free-kick over the crossbar, and the De Treffers goalkeeper stopped an effort from Ivan Borac following a corner kick. Willem den Dekker missed the best chance of the half for the hosts, firing high and wide from close range.

Right before halftime, Brussaard unleashed a powerful strike from the right flank that Heracles goalkeeper Timo Jansink tipped onto the crossbar. Despite controlling 61 percent of possession during the opening forty-five minutes, Heracles registered only five attempts compared to seven for De Treffers, leaving the score tied at 0-0 at the interval.

Red Card and the Decisive Goal

After the restart, Heracles increased the pressure. Jeff Reine-Adélaïde appeared to break the deadlock in the 54th minute, but the officiating crew disallowed his effort for offside.

A minute later, the match shifted when Borac blocked the ball with his upper arm, earning a second yellow card and leaving Heracles with ten men. Although the visitors immediately introduced three substitutes, De Treffers struck first.

In the 61st minute, Kane Keizer delivered a low cross from the right wing. Van Bakel beat defender Vicente Robles to the ball and slotted it past Jansink to make it 1-0, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Late Pressure and Cup Results

With the lead secured, De Treffers pressed to extend their advantage. Jansink stopped a shot from Keizer, and Jari van Ginkel struck the crossbar from a subsequent corner kick.

As mist descended on Sportpark Zuid, the ten-man visitors mounted a late offensive push. N’Djoli headed just over the bar with two minutes remaining in regulation, but De Treffers successfully defended their lead until the final whistle.

Other first-round KNVB Cup results on the evening included GVVV defeating Noordwijk 3-0, Hoek beating Sparta Nijkerk 4-2, Purmersteijn overcoming Gemert 2-0 after extra time, and AFC defeating ACV Assen 1-2 after extra time.