ADO '20 and Excelsior Maastricht drew 1-1 in the first preliminary round of the KNVB Cup on 1 September 2026. The hosts took an early lead before the visitors equalised, with a red card adding drama to an otherwise even contest. To be fair, neither side deserved more from the result.
The turning point came when a host player was dismissed, leaving ADO '20 with ten men for the second half. By then the score was level, and the numerical disadvantage forced the hosts into a deeper shape. And here's the thing — you can see the shift in how they attacked, or rather, stopped attacking.
Excelsior Maastricht kept the ball more, holding 59 per cent possession against 41 per cent. They won 14 corners to 5, which tells you where the pressure sat. The hosts registered 91 attacks compared to 83, but many of those came after the red card, when the visitors pushed forward knowing they had a man advantage.
Both sides received two yellow cards, while the hosts carried one red. The statistics suggest a match where Excelsior controlled territory but ADO '20 made their moments count. A fourth straight cup appearance for both sides, though the format means one mistake ends it.
The draw sends both teams into a replay. For ADO '20, the red card will dominate the conversation, but the points on the board mean they stay alive. Excelsior Maastricht go again with momentum, though the away fixture remains a concern.