Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Dean Zandbergen scored twice as VVV Venlo came from behind to beat OH Leuven U23 2-1 at Sportpark Sporting Swolgen, staying unbeaten in pre-season.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
VVV Venlo started on the front foot, pressing high and pinning the Belgian visitors back in their own half. The pattern held for the opening quarter-hour before OH Leuven U23 began to find a foothold, though clear chances remained scarce for either side.
Midway through the first half, VVV created several openings but failed to convert — and were punished on the counter-attack in the 38th minute. OH Leuven U23 broke quickly and scored to take a 0-1 lead against the run of play.
The lead lasted barely 60 seconds. VVV struck back immediately, and Dean Zandbergen levelled in the 39th minute. It was 1-1 at the break.
The turning point
VVV emerged from the interval with renewed purpose. Within four minutes of the restart, a flowing team move was finished by Zandbergen for his second of the afternoon (49'), completing the turnaround. Dijkhuizen made a raft of substitutions midway through the second half — bringing on Michael Davis, Milan Hendericks, Yousri el Anbri, Jay de Graef, Joshua Eijgenraam, Thomas Janssen, Maarten van Grootel, Devy Hendrix and Raf Vullers — but the shape and dominance held. VVV saw out the win without further alarm.
Key performers
Dean Zandbergen (VVV Venlo) — Two goals from inside the box, one in each half, separated by 11 minutes. The 24-year-old striker was the clear match-winner, turning the game with his equaliser and winner.
Youri Schoonderwaldt (VVV Venlo) — The goalkeeper kept the clean sheet in the second half, though was rarely forced into a difficult save after the 49th-minute goal.
Alex Schalk (VVV Venlo) — The experienced forward played in midfield in the first-half XI, helping VVV control possession and build attacks.
By the numbers
VVV's 2-1 win was the exact scoreline that Sports Mole's pre-match model rated as the most likely outcome (10.4% probability). The model had given VVV a 61.3% win probability before kick-off, and the match unfolded as it predicted — a narrow home victory with both teams scoring (66.8% BTTS probability). The match timeline shows three goals in a 12-minute window (38', 39', 49') and no cards, reflecting a clean, fitness-oriented friendly.
What it means
VVV Venlo remain unbeaten in four pre-season friendlies (W3 D1) under Dijkhuizen, who took over ahead of the 2026/27 season. The Yellow-Blacks next face a closed-door friendly against Viktoria Köln on Tuesday 21 July, followed by the Herman & Wiel Teeuwen Memorial against Fortuna Köln at De Koel on Saturday 25 July.
OH Leuven U23, who play in the Belgian third-tier National Division 1, continue their own pre-season programme.
Verdict
A routine pre-season win for VVV, whose quick response to going behind — equalising within a minute — speaks to the resilience Dijkhuizen is building. Zandbergen's sharpness in front of goal is an encouraging sign ahead of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie campaign.
Match Events
Key match events between VVV Venlo and Oud-Heverlee Leuven II — 3 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2025
VVV Venlo vs Oud-Heverlee Leuven II Head to Head Results· 1
VVV Venlo and Oud-Heverlee Leuven II have met 1 times — VVV Venlo won 0, Oud-Heverlee Leuven II won 1, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2025. Oud-Heverlee Leuven II leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 4 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 4.00 per match (1 for the home side, 3 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–3 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Jul 2026