Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
STVV drew 0-0 with Al-Jazira in their seventh pre-season friendly. Leo Kokubo made two crucial saves and Mbe Soh cleared off the line as the Belgian side kept a second straight clean sheet but failed to score for the first time this summer.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
The match, played in sweltering heat in the Dutch village of Swolgen, was STVV's seventh pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign. Both sides created chances but neither could find the net.
Al-Jazira had the first sight of goal inside two minutes when a deflected long-range effort forced a corner. STVV responded through Oumar Diouf in the ninth minute, who latched onto a splitting pass from Ilias Sebaoui but fired narrowly wide.
Tempers flared just before the first drinks break when a scuffle broke out between Sebaoui and an Al-Jazira defender, but the referee calmed matters during the pause.
The clearest chance of the first half fell to Al-Jazira's No. 99 in the 34th minute, who burst through one-on-one with Leo Kokubo. The Japanese goalkeeper produced a fine fingertip save to push the ball around the post.
STVV pushed harder after the interval. Yuma Ishiwatari, making an impression on his flank, set up a chance for Sota Matsuzawa in the 47th minute but the midfielder arrived a fraction late. Ryan Merlen struck the crossbar with a free kick in the 83rd minute — the second consecutive friendly he had hit the woodwork from a dead-ball situation.
Deep into the second half, Mbe Soh produced a crucial goal-line clearance (86') to preserve the deadlock, while Kokubo added a second outstanding reflex save at the other end (88') to deny Al-Jazira's No. 11. The final chance fell to STVV substitute Taiga Shinkawa in the 90th+2 minute, but his shot was straight at the Al-Jazira goalkeeper.
The Turning Point
Kokubo's 34th-minute save — a one-on-one stop with his fingertips at full stretch — kept the score level at a moment when Al-Jazira had the momentum. It was the first of two match-defining saves from the Japanese shot-stopper, who played his first full match of pre-season after recovering from a minor injury.
Key Performers
Leo Kokubo (STVV) — Two outstanding saves, one in each half, and a commanding presence on his first full outing of pre-season. The Japanese goalkeeper made a strong case for the starting spot ahead of the new season.
Mbe Soh (STVV) — The centre-back produced a vital goal-line clearance in the 86th minute and was composed throughout against a physical Al-Jazira attack.
Ryan Merlen (STVV) — Lively in midfield and unfortunate to hit the crossbar for the second consecutive friendly. His set-piece delivery was a consistent threat.
Al-Jazira No. 99 — Unnamed in the match report, the home side's forward caused problems all afternoon and was denied only by Kokubo's reflexes.
Player of the Match: Leo Kokubo (STVV)
By the Numbers — Interpreted
STVV registered their second consecutive clean sheet, following a shutout against RFC Liège on 22 July. However, the 0-0 marked the first time this pre-season the Kanaries failed to score — a reminder that the search for additional attacking firepower remains ongoing, as Belgian media have reported. The match was a markedly more physical affair than the typical friendly, with several robust challenges and a first-half scuffle reflecting the competitive edge both sides brought.
What It Means
STVV remain unbeaten in seven pre-season friendlies under manager Frédéric De Meyer. The defensive solidity — two clean sheets in a row — is a positive sign, but the blank scoreline underscores the need for greater cutting edge in tight matches. The club is reported to be tracking attacking reinforcements. Al-Jazira, who featured former KRC Genk player Jay-Dee Geusens, continue their own pre-season build-up toward the UAE Pro League.
STVV's next friendly is against Helmond Sport on 1 August 2026. Al-Jazira's next pre-season fixture has not been confirmed.
Verdict
A competitive, physical 0-0 that told two stories: STVV's defensive organisation is rounding into form, but their attack lacks the incision to break down stubborn opponents. Kokubo's return to full fitness is a significant boost. Pre-season verdicts are provisional, but this was a useful stress-test that exposed an area still needing work.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 1 Aug 2026