Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Heracles Almelo closed their Billerbeck training camp with a 2-0 win over FC Emmen, N'Djoli and Scheperman scoring in a five-minute spell.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Played over two 60-minute halves — a format allowing both managers to give minutes to nearly their entire squads — the game took time to settle. Heracles coach Vincent Heilmann admitted his side initially struggled against Emmen's physical approach and duel-heavy style.
Heracles found their rhythm midway through the first period. In the 34th minute, N'Djoli robbed an Emmen defender through aggressive pressing and finished calmly to make it 1-0. Five minutes later, Scheperman met a corner with a firm header to double the lead.
Heracles created several chances in the second 60-minute period but failed to add to the scoreline. Young goalkeeper Leco Zeevalkink preserved the clean sheet with a reflex save from a Mustafa Abdullatif penalty in the closing stages.
The Turning Point
N'Djoli's 34th-minute opener, crafted from a high press on the Emmen defence, broke the deadlock just as the game risked becoming a stalemate. It validated Heilmann's tactical emphasis on ball-oriented pressing and unlocked the space for Scheperman's headed second five minutes later.
Key Performers
Jean-Paul N'Djoli — Heracles' striker scored the opener with a composed finish after winning the ball high up the pitch. His movement and pressing set the tone for Heracles' improved second half of the first period.
Sem Scheperman — The midfielder scored a well-taken header from a corner and anchored the midfield in the first 60 minutes, playing 43 minutes before making way for Blokhuis.
Leco Zeevalkink — The young goalkeeper entered for the second half of the second period and made the save of the match, denying Abdullatif from the penalty spot to preserve the 2-0 scoreline.
Player of the Match: Jean-Paul N'Djoli
By the Numbers
No detailed match statistics (possession, shots, xG) were published for this behind-closed-doors friendly, but the 2-0 scoreline reflects Heracles' control after a slow start. The two goals came in a five-minute window (34', 39') from a press-induced turnover and a set piece — two patterns Heilmann specifically identified as areas of focus in the build-up. Zeevalkink's penalty save was the only moment Emmen truly threatened the scoreline in the second period.
What It Means
The win capped a productive training camp in Billerbeck for Heracles, who have now posted three wins from four pre-season friendlies (5-0 vs Almelose selectie, 2-1 vs Groningen, a 4-3 loss to Heerenveen, and this 2-0 win). New signings David Vicente Robles (45 minutes, first appearance after a full training week) and Chafik Abbas (30 minutes) both got valuable game time, while David Tomic remained sidelined to build fitness.
Heracles' next friendly is against Excelsior on 24 July at Rood Zwart in Delden, before a final pre-season test against Greek side Volos NFC on 1 August. The Keuken Kampioen Divisie season begins on 7 August.
Verdict
A controlled, professional pre-season performance from Heracles against a physical Emmen side. The two-goal margin flattered neither side — Heilmann will be encouraged by the pressing patterns that produced the goals, but noted his team conceded chances in transition. The second-period XI, featuring several trialists and youngsters, showed less cohesion, underlining the depth still needed before the KKD opener.
Heracles and Emmen have met 9 times — Heracles won 5, Emmen won 3, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2018. Heracles leads the head-to-head with 5 victories from 9 meetings. A combined 24 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.67 per match (14 for the home side, 10 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 4 matches (44%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 4 games (44%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–1 in 2021.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026