Schoonbeek-Beverst vs Patro Eisden

Patro Eisden, coached by Stijn Stijnen, began their summer preparations earlier than most Belgian clubs — a tradition Stijnen maintains to build fitness ahead of the Challenger Pro League season. The visitors dominated the first half against their third-tier hosts and led 2-0 at the interval.

Japhet Muanza opened the scoring with a finish that rewarded Patro's early pressure. Radja Nainggolan, the 38-year-old former Roma, Inter Milan and Belgium international who joined Patro Eisden in January 2025, doubled the lead before half-time with what local reports described as a "prachtige sleepbeweging" (beautiful dragging movement) with his left foot.

Schoonbeek-Beverst pulled one back in the second half through Yildiz, who tapped in a deserved goal for the home side. But Patro held on to secure the 2-1 victory in their first outing of the summer.

Nainggolan's goal made it 2-0 just before the break, giving Patro a comfortable buffer that proved decisive. Schoonbeek improved after the interval and got their goal, but the two-goal cushion meant Patro were never truly threatened — even in a pre-season fixture where both sides made multiple changes.

Japhet Muanza scored Patro's opening goal of the pre-season. The defender set the tone for the visitors' first-half dominance.

Radja Nainggolan added a typically stylish finish, showcasing the technical quality that made him a Serie A standout. The 38-year-old's experience and composure were evident as Patro controlled the first half.

Yildiz scored Schoonbeek's consolation and was the home side's most dangerous player, taking his goal well to give the third-tier side a platform in the second period.

The provider data confirms a 2-0 half-time lead for Patro, underlining their first-half superiority. Patro Eisden, who finished 6th in the Challenger Pro League's promotion play-off group in 2025-26, fielded a mix of first-team regulars and new arrivals. South Korean striker Seok-ju Hong, the club's first summer signing from RW Oberhausen, made his debut in this match, while goalkeeper Geladé started the first half.

This was Patro Eisden's first pre-season friendly of summer 2026. Stijnen's side are building towards the new Challenger Pro League season, with ambitions of challenging for promotion to the Belgian Pro League. Schoonbeek-Beverst, who compete in the Belgian third tier (Belgian National Division 1), used the fixture to test themselves against higher-level opposition.

Patro's next pre-season fixtures will follow in the coming weeks. Schoonbeek-Beverst continue their own preparation ahead of the 2026-27 third-division campaign.

A professional, controlled performance from Patro Eisden in their first run-out. Nainggolan's presence continues to draw attention, but the collective first-half display was the bigger positive for Stijnen. Schoonbeek-Beverst competed well after the break and earned their goal against a side two divisions above them.