Stadion Krommedijk, Dordrecht — Excelsior SBV continued their pre-season preparations with a convincing 2-0 victory over Eerste Divisie rivals Dordrecht in an international club friendly. The match, played in warm conditions, served as a useful test for both sides as they fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming domestic campaigns.

Match Overview

Excelsior, featuring a mix of first-team regulars and fringe players, dominated possession and created the better chances. Dordrecht, still integrating new signings, struggled to find rhythm and were punished for defensive lapses in both halves.

Key Moments

• 28th Minute – First Goal: Excelsior broke the deadlock when midfielder Jordi Bais received a pass on the edge of the box and unleashed a curling shot that beat the Dordrecht goalkeeper at his near post.
• 64th Minute – Second Goal: A well-rehearsed corner routine saw centre-back Mats Wieffer rise highest to head home from close range, doubling the visitors’ advantage.
• Late Efforts: Dordrecht pushed forward in the final quarter but lacked precision in the final third. Excelsior goalkeeper Jordi van der Meij was rarely tested, making only two routine saves.

Tactical Observations

Excelsior operated in a fluid 4-2-3-1 system, with full-backs providing width and the attacking midfielder drifting into pockets of space. Dordrecht’s 4-4-2 struggled to contain the movement, particularly in central areas. The visitors’ pressing game was effective, forcing errors in the Dordrecht build-up play.

Standout Players

• Jordi Bais (Excelsior): Scored the opener and was involved in most of his side’s attacking moves.
• Mats Wieffer (Excelsior): Dominant in defence and a threat from set pieces.
• Dordrecht goalkeeper (anonymous): Kept the scoreline respectable with a few decent stops.

Context and Next Steps

For Excelsior, this friendly is another step in building match sharpness ahead of the new Keuken Kampioen Divisie season. Dordrecht, meanwhile, will look to address defensive organisation in their remaining pre-season fixtures. The match, though a friendly, showed Excelsior’s intent to be competitive in the upcoming campaign.