International Club Friendly – 8 July 2026
NEC Nijmegen 2–3 MSV Duisburg

MSV Duisburg claimed an impressive 3–2 victory over Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen in a pre-season friendly on 8 July 2026. The match, played behind closed doors at a training ground in the Netherlands, gave both managers a chance to test new formations and evaluate fringe players ahead of the upcoming competitive campaigns.

Match Overview

NEC Nijmegen took an early lead through a well-worked set piece, but Duisburg responded before half‑time to level the score. The German third‑division side then moved ahead early in the second period, only for NEC to equalise again with a fine individual effort. Duisburg struck the decisive blow midway through the second half, capitalising on a defensive lapse to secure the win. The final score of 2–3 reflected an open, entertaining contest in which both sides created numerous chances.

Key Moments

• 12' – NEC open the scoring: A corner from the left was met by a towering header from centre‑back Iván Márquez, giving Duisburg goalkeeper Felix Herzenbruch no chance.
• 38' – Duisburg equalise: Julian Kunz pounced on a loose ball inside the area after a corner was only half‑cleared, slotting home from close range.
• 52' – Duisburg take the lead: A quick counter‑attack ended with Patrick Dulleck curling a low shot into the far corner past NEC keeper Robin Roefs.
• 65' – NEC level again: Koki Ogawa showed excellent footwork to evade two defenders before drilling a left‑footed shot into the bottom corner.
• 74' – Duisburg winner: Felix Stahl intercepted a misplaced pass in midfield, drove forward and unleashed a powerful strike from 20 yards that flew into the top corner.

Tactical Story

NEC boss Rogier Meijer used the friendly to experiment with a 4‑3‑3 shape, pushing full‑backs high and relying on wide wingers to stretch Duisburg’s backline. The approach created early success but left gaps when Duisburg broke with pace. Duisburg manager Hakan Balta set his team up in a compact 4‑4‑2, pressing aggressively in midfield and looking to exploit the channels. The Zebras’ physicality and organisation eventually overcame NEC’s technical superiority.

Standout Players

• Patrick Dulleck (Duisburg) – constant threat on the left wing, provided one goal and was involved in the build‑up to the winner.
• Koki Ogawa (NEC) – the Japanese striker looked sharp, scored a fine equaliser and linked play well.
• Felix Stahl (Duisburg) – his match‑winning strike was a moment of genuine quality, capping a solid all‑round midfield display.

Season Impact

Both sides will take positives from the fixture. NEC, who finished mid‑table in the Eredivisie last term, will focus on defensive transitions before their league opener. MSV Duisburg, preparing for the 3. Liga season, showed they can compete against higher‑division opposition – a confidence‑boosting result ahead of a tough campaign.