Achilles Vezen secured a 4-2 victory over Portugaal in the first preliminary round of the KNVB Cup on Monday evening. The hosts dominated proceedings from the opening exchanges, building a lead that Portugaal could never fully erase despite playing with ten men for most of the contest. J. Scheij was the standout performer, finding the net three times to steer his side clear.
The home side struck first at the 15-minute mark through Scheij, and doubled their advantage shortly after the 21st-minute dismissal. Portugaal's red card shifted the balance, and Scheij added a second goal in the 26th minute to put the match beyond doubt. By then the visitors were already chasing the game, and their attempts to claw back never quite materialised.
Portugaal pulled one back at 28 minutes, a moment that briefly stirred hope, but Scheij completed his hat-trick at 39 minutes to restore a commanding two-goal cushion. The hosts threw everything at it after that, with Scheij's brace from the first half providing the foundation. Portugaal responded with a goal at 78 minutes and a second at 84 through K. Vermeulen, but the damage was already done.
Statistics tell the story of a one-sided afternoon. Achilles Vezen registered 97 attacks compared to Portugaal's 64, while possession sat at 63 per cent for the hosts. Both sides won five corners each, but the disparity in territorial dominance was clear. Portugaal's ten men could not match the pressure, and their defensive structure eventually cracked under sustained assault.
The victory puts Achilles Vezen through to the next round, while Portugaal's cup campaign comes to an early end. The hosts will look to build on this performance, having shown they can control matches and take their chances when they arise. Portugaal will need to regroup quickly, with this result leaving unanswered questions about their ability to compete at this level.