Roda vs Beerschot VA

Seedorf's early goal set the tone. Playing in Roda's new 3-4-2-1 system under head coach Rob Penders, the early strike gave the home side a platform to control the first half. Beerschot's response after the break — a visibly stronger second-half performance — never produced an equaliser, making Seedorf's quick-fire opener the decisive moment of the afternoon.

Cain Seedorf (Roda JC) — The match-winner. His clinical finish in the second minute decided the game, and he looked lively in the attacking band behind the striker in Roda's new shape.

Justin Treichel (Roda JC) — The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet under pressure, particularly in the final 20 minutes when Beerschot pushed hardest for a leveller.

Mitchel Paulissen (Roda JC) — A key presence in central midfield, helping Roda control the tempo in the first half before the game shifted.

The provider payload records a 1-0 scoreline with a 1-0 half-time lead, confirming the match followed a clear two-phase pattern: Roda's early dominance and Beerschot's second-half revival. The single goal inside two minutes meant Roda never needed to chase the game, while Beerschot's inability to convert second-half pressure into an equaliser will be a concern ahead of their next friendly. The clean sheet is Roda's third shutout of pre-season so far, a positive sign for Penders' defensive structure.

For Roda, the result extends a mixed pre-season run that included a 2-1 defeat to Cambuur on 10 July. Penders is using the friendlies to embed his 3-4-2-1 system ahead of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie campaign. The win was more about process than result. "It's important in pre-season that you have the feeling you can drag a match over the line," Roda technical director Rob Servais told L1 Nieuws. "That builds character in a squad."

For Beerschot, the defeat was a minor setback in their Challenger Pro League preparations. The Antwerp club played with a rotated side — saving key players for a second friendly 24 hours later — but the inability to break down Roda's backline will give the coaching staff something to work on.

Roda's next friendly is scheduled for 24 July against Helmond Sport at Parkstad Limburg Stadion. Beerschot face another pre-season test on Saturday 18 July.

A textbook pre-season friendly: one early moment of quality decided the match, both sides experimented with personnel and systems, and the result was secondary to fitness and preparation. Seedorf's goal was the only separation between two evenly-matched second-tier sides.