Hoek vs NAC Breda

Before kick-off, players and officials observed a minute's silence in memory of recently deceased referee Rob Dieperink, a poignant moment that hung over the opening exchanges.

NAC controlled the early stages without creating clear-cut chances until the 14th minute, when Australian midfielder Max Balard picked up the ball 25 metres from goal and unleashed a ferocious strike that flew into the top corner, giving the Hoek goalkeeper no chance. It was the kind of goal that lights up a pre-season friendly — a moment of individual quality that decided the first half-hour.

Hoek responded with a spell of possession and carved out a few half-chances, but NAC held firm. The visitors' best response came from debutant Elijah Ikpia, who read a through-ball intelligently and created a shooting opportunity, only for a Hoek defender to block.

Right on the stroke of half-time, NAC doubled their lead. Ikpia turned provider, sliding a pass through for Paul Gladon to slot home from close range, making it 2-0 at the break.

Manager Carl Hoefkens rang the changes at the hour mark, replacing the entire starting XI with a fresh XI of young players and trialists. The wholesale substitution disrupted NAC's rhythm and invited Hoek back into the contest. Kostas Lamprou, introduced in goal, was forced into a sharp save from a Hoek attacker as the amateurs grew in confidence.

Bo Meijvogel spurned a chance to make it 3-0 five minutes from time, and NAC were made to pay when D. Sula scrambled home a consolation goal for Hoek in the 90th minute, setting up a nervy finish that never quite materialised.

Max Balard — The Australian central midfielder was the standout player on the pitch. His 14th-minute strike from distance was the match's defining moment, a goal that would grace any competitive fixture. He also controlled the tempo during his hour on the field.

Elijah Ikpia — Making his first start for NAC, the young forward showed sharp movement and intelligence. He created a chance for himself when he read a ball over the top and teed up Gladon for the second goal with a well-weighted assist.

Paul Gladon — The experienced forward did what strikers are paid to do, arriving at the right time to turn in Ikpia's pass just before the interval. A poacher's finish that gave NAC breathing room.

The provider data shows three goals from a combined 10 shots on target, indicating a game with a clinical edge rather than sustained pressure. NAC's first-half control (2-0 at the break) reflected a clear gulf in quality between a professional Eerste Divisie side and a Tweede Divisie amateur outfit, but the second-half dip after wholesale changes allowed Hoek to grow into the contest. Hoek's 90th-minute goal, their only shot on target in the second period, was a late consolation that flattered the scoreline slightly.

NAC Breda continue their pre-season preparations under Carl Hoefkens ahead of the 2026/27 Keuken Kampioen Divisie campaign. They had lost their previous friendly 2-0 to FC Eindhoven on 8 July, making this a welcome response. The training camp in Zeeland runs until 18 July, with further friendlies scheduled before the league season opener away at FC Oss on 8 August.

For HSV Hoek, the Tweede Divisie season is still several weeks away. The amateurs will take confidence from a composed second-half display that yielded a late goal against a professional opponent.

A routine pre-season win for NAC Breda, illuminated by a moment of individual brilliance from Balard. The second-half drop-off after ten substitutions was predictable, but Hoefkens will have seen enough from his first-choice XI to be satisfied. Hoek competed well after the break and deserved their late consolation.