Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
RKC Waalwijk 1-1 Alemannia Aachen in a pre-season friendly at Sportpark Putter Eng. Jochem Nap (39') scored a free-kick before Ken Izekor (55') equalised on his return to the club.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Alemannia Aachen, concluding a training camp in nearby Wageningen, controlled large stretches of the first half. Mika Schroers missed the best early chance when he could not quite connect with Fabio Torsiello's cross, shooting wide from close range (8'). Emmanuel Elekwa then forced a smart save from Waalwijk goalkeeper Niek Schiks with a low shot from inside the box (34').
Against the run of play, Waalwijk took the lead in the 39th minute. Jochem Nap stepped up to a free-kick just outside the area and drilled a low shot underneath the Aachen wall, leaving goalkeeper Manuel Riemann with no chance as it nestled in the bottom-right corner.
Aachen head coach Mersad Selimbegovic made five changes at half-time, introducing Izekor, Lukas Scepanik and Daniel Starodid among others. The switch paid immediate dividends. The visitors dominated the opening exchanges of the second half, creating a string of chances. Schiks denied Torsiello from the edge of the box (48'), but could do nothing about Izekor's equaliser seven minutes later. The 19-year-old striker was played through on goal and placed a composed finish into the bottom-right corner (55') — his first goal since returning to the club.
Mehdi Loune came close to putting Aachen ahead when he beat Schiks with a shot but saw it cleared off the line by Jordy de Wijs (68'), and Starodid rattled the post with a long-range effort (74'). Waalwijk's only second-half chance fell to Keyan Varela, who dragged wide from the edge of the box (66').
The turning point
Selimbegovic's five half-time substitutions transformed the match. Aachen had controlled possession before the break but lacked incision; after the changes, their pressing became more aggressive and their attacking movements gained clarity. Izekor's goal — within 10 minutes of his introduction — was the direct reward, and the visitors created enough chances to have won the game. Schiks' performance in the Waalwijk goal and De Wijs' goal-line clearance kept the score level.
Key performers
Ken Izekor (Alemannia Aachen) — Player of the Match. The 19-year-old marked his return to the club with a well-taken equaliser, showing the composure and movement that prompted Aachen to bring him back from Bayer Leverkusen. His presence lifted the team after the interval.
Niek Schiks (Waalwijk) — Made several important saves, particularly in the second half when Aachen pressed for a winner. Denied Torsiello from close range and commanded his area well.
Jochem Nap (Waalwijk) — Scored the opener with a cleverly struck free-kick that beat the wall and Riemann. It was his side's only shot on target in the first half.
Fabio Torsiello (Alemannia Aachen) — A constant threat on the right flank, creating Schroers' early chance and forcing a save from Schiks after the break.
By the numbers — interpreted
The provider records no cards, but German media reports (including Euregio Aktuell) noted that the first half was "characterised by many fouls leading to numerous yellow cards" — a discrepancy that may reflect the limits of data collection for pre-season friendlies. The 1-1 scoreline, however, undersells Aachen's dominance: they created the clearer chances across 90 minutes, particularly after the break, and were denied a winner only by Schiks' goalkeeping and De Wijs' goal-line clearance. Waalwijk's single shot on target in the first half was Nap's goal.
What it means
Both sides continue pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. Waalwijk — who played a second friendly on the same day, drawing 2-2 with FC Volendam — are preparing for the Keuken Kampioen Divisie after relegation from the Eredivisie in 2024/25. Alemannia Aachen, now competing in the 3. Liga (German third division) following promotion, face TuS Lammersdorf on 25 July, followed by Roda Kerkrade (1 August) and Eintracht Trier (2 August) before their league opener at home to SC Verl on 8-9 August.
Verdict
A useful workout for both sides. Aachen dominated the balance of play and created enough chances to win comfortably, but Waalwijk's resilience and Schiks' goalkeeping earned them a share of the spoils. Izekor's debut goal was the most significant individual moment — a glimpse of what the returning striker can offer in the season ahead.
Match Events
Key match events between Waalwijk and Alemannia Aachen — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026