SC Heerenveen edged a thrilling five-goal encounter against Greek side Volos NPS, winning 3-2 in an international club friendly that had everything: early goals, a comeback, and late drama. The Dutch Eredivisie side used the match to sharpen their attacking instincts, while Volos NPS showed plenty of spirit and will feel they could have taken more from an open, entertaining contest.

Fast start sets the tone

Heerenveen came flying out of the blocks and opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes, finishing off a quick move that caught Volos' defence out of position. The home side doubled their lead shortly after with a well-struck effort from the edge of the area, and it looked as though they might run away with the game.

But Volos NPS responded with character. The Greek side pulled one back before the half-hour mark, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to slot home from close range. The momentum shifted slightly as the visitors grew in confidence, but Heerenveen restored their two-goal cushion just before half-time with a clinical counter-attack, making it 3-1 at the break.

Volos push late, Heerenveen hold on

After the interval, both managers made numerous substitutions, disrupting the flow of the game. Volos NPS looked brighter in possession and created several half-chances, eventually reducing the deficit with a fine strike from the edge of the box. The final twenty minutes were stretched and open, with both teams pushing for another goal.

Heerenveen's goalkeeper produced a key save late on to preserve his side's lead, while at the other end, the Dutch side hit the woodwork when trying to put the game beyond doubt. The final whistle confirmed a 3-2 win for Heerenveen, a result that will please their coaching staff even if the defensive display offered plenty of room for improvement.

Match takeaways

• Heerenveen's attacking fluency was a clear positive, with three goals coming from varied phases of play.
• Volos NPS showed resilience, refusing to fold after falling two goals behind and making the contest competitive deep into the second half.
• Defensive concentration will be an area of focus for Heerenveen after they conceded twice in a friendly context.

International club friendlies at this stage of the year are about match sharpness and experimentation, and this game delivered plenty of both. For SC Heerenveen, it was a useful workout with goals and a winning feeling; for Volos NPS, a spirited performance away from home suggests they are on track in their preparations.