Heracles Almelo and Emmen Play out Stalemate in Pre-Season Friendly

Heracles Almelo and Emmen kicked off their pre-season preparations with a goalless draw at the Erve Asito on Friday evening. The International Club Friendly, scheduled for 20:00 local time, served as an early test for both Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie sides as they build fitness and sharpen tactics ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

With a strong turnout from the home support, Heracles dominated possession in the opening stages, but Emmen’s disciplined defensive shape frustrated the hosts. The first half saw few clear-cut chances, with both sides struggling to combine in the final third. Heracles midfielder Thomas Bruns forced a sharp save from Emmen goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen just before the half-hour mark, while Emmen’s best opportunity came from a long-range strike by Rui Mendes that flew just over the crossbar.

Second Half: Chances Remain Unconverted

The second half brought a flurry of substitutions as both managers rotated their squads, disrupting any rhythm. Heracles winger Mohamed Sankoh dazzled with a run down the right flank and cut inside, only to see his effort tipped wide. Emmen, playing more on the counter, nearly snatched a winner in the 78th minute when Jari Vlak connected with a cross but headed straight at the goalkeeper. The match ended 0-0, a fair reflection of a tightly contested but ultimately uneventful friendly.

Standout Performers

• Thomas Bruns (Heracles) – Controlled the midfield and came closest to scoring.
• Kjell Scherpen (Emmen) – Made key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
• Mohamed Sankoh (Heracles) – Provided the spark in the final third but lacked a finishing touch.

What It Means

For Heracles, the result offers a solid foundation but highlights the need for sharper finishing before the Eredivisie season begins. Emmen will take confidence from a disciplined defensive display as they aim to compete in the Eerste Divisie. Both teams will look to build on this outing in upcoming friendlies.