Den Bosch vs Lusail City

Manager Bart Schreuder, preparing for his first competitive season in charge at Den Bosch, fielded a strong starting XI captained by Sebastian Karlsson Grach. The match was played in an unusual 4×30-minute format, agreed between the two clubs for what was Lusail City's fourth pre-season friendly on Dutch soil.

Lusail, who had lost 5-0 to FC Dordrecht on 18 July, looked sharper in the opening hour. Rodrigo opened the scoring for the Qatari side, and Farhad Esmail doubled the lead before the 60-minute mark, leaving Den Bosch trailing 2-0 at the end of the second period (per NOVO3/DTV).

The final two 30-minute periods saw Schreuder rotate heavily, giving youth players an opportunity to impress. Den Bosch grew into the game and created more chances. The breakthrough came when Jeffry Fortes delivered a dangerous cross from the right that was turned into his own net by a Lusail defender, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Despite late pressure, Den Bosch could not force a second goal.

Lusail's second goal, scored by Esmail before the 60-minute mark, proved decisive. It forced Den Bosch to chase the game from a two-goal deficit in the remaining hour, and although Fortes' cross created an own goal to halve the arrears, the damage from the first two periods was too great.

• Sebastian Karlsson Grach (Den Bosch) — Wore the captain's armband again in the starting XI, anchoring midfield in the first hour.
• Jeffry Fortes (Den Bosch) — His cross from the right forced the own goal that gave Den Bosch hope in the second half of the match.
• Rodrigo (Lusail City) — Opened the scoring for the Qatari side, showing quality in the final third.
• Farhad Esmail (Lusail City) — Doubled Lusail's lead with a composed finish, effectively deciding the contest.

Den Bosch's intended first XI held their own in the opening periods but lacked cutting edge. The two goals conceded came in the first 60 minutes, while the sole reply came from an own goal rather than a created chance. The second-string XI that played the final 60 minutes showed more attacking intent but could not break down a well-organised Lusail defence. The provider data lists the scoreline differently (Den Bosch 2-1), but local Dutch media reports confirm the 2-1 result in favour of the Qatari side.

This was Den Bosch's first defeat in four pre-season friendlies. The club had previously beaten a regional amateur side 8-0 (4 July), Quick Boys 3-1 (11 July) and drawn 0-0 with FC Eindhoven (18 July). With two weeks until the Eerste Divisie season begins on 8 August at home to Almere City, Schreuder has work to do.

Speaking to Dutch regional newspaper BD.nl, Schreuder acknowledged the performance: "Verwacht dat er wel wat gaat veranderen" — "Expect that things will change."

Den Bosch play two more friendlies on 31 July 2026 — against Team VVCS (13:00) and Al Fayha (16:30), both at Sportpark De Watertoren in Zaltbommel.

Lusail City, who have been on a pre-season tour of the Netherlands, followed up their 5-0 loss to FC Dordrecht (18 July) with this hard-fought win.

A useful workout for Den Bosch, but the defensive lapses that allowed two goals in the first hour will concern Schreuder. The positive was the resilience shown by the second-string XI, who dominated possession in the final hour without finding the equaliser. The Qatari side's physicality, noted by local media, proved a challenge the Dutch side could not fully overcome.

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Player of the Match: Farhad Esmail (Lusail City) — his goal proved the winner in a disciplined attacking display.

Venue: Sportpark De Zilt, De Zilk (VV van Nispen grounds)

Format: 4×30 minutes

Next up for Den Bosch: 31 July vs Team VVCS (13:00) and Al Fayha (16:30), Zaltbommel