In a high‑scoring pre‑season friendly on Saturday evening, TOP Oss Amateurs stunned Eredivisie side Almere City FC with a 4‑2 victory at the Almere City training complex. The match, which kicked off at 19:20 local time, showcased the gulf in match fitness and tactical sharpness between the two sides, as the amateur team from the Netherlands' third tier outplayed their professional hosts.

Match Summary

Almere City, preparing for their second season in the Eredivisie after surviving relegation last term, fielded a mix of first‑team regulars and fringe players. TOP Oss Amateurs, technically the reserve side of FC Oss (now TOP Oss), arrived with a point to prove. The result was a thrilling contest with end‑to‑end action and seven goals in total.

First Half: Amateurs Take Control

TOP Oss Amateurs opened the scoring in the 12th minute when forward Lars van der Heijden capitalised on a defensive miscommunication between Almere’s centre‑backs. The goal seemed to unsettle the Eredivisie side, and by the 27th minute the visitors led 2‑0 through a powerful strike from Tim van de Lagemaat. Almere pulled one back just before half‑time when Lance Duijvestijn converted a penalty after a handball in the box, making it 2‑1 at the break.

Second Half: Goals Galore

Almere came out with renewed energy after the interval and equalised in the 51st minute through a well‑worked move finished by Thomas Poll. However, the joy was short‑lived. TOP Oss Amateurs regained the lead in the 63rd minute when a corner was headed in by centre‑half Jordi van der Hoek. Almere pushed hard for another equaliser, but the amateur side sealed the victory with a fourth goal in the 81st minute – a counter‑attack finished by substitute Dylan de Bruijn.

Tactical Observations

• Almere City's defensive fragility – Both centre‑backs struggled with high‑pressure situations and lost duels in the air.
• TOP Oss Amateurs’ compact midfield – A three‑man midfield of Koen Oostenrijk, Thomas Beekman and Tim van de Lagemaat dominated the central zones and broke up Almere’s rhythm.
• Fitness levels – The amateur side appeared sharper over 90 minutes, a worrying sign for Almere’s pre‑season conditioning.

Standout Players

Tim van de Lagemaat was the man of the match, scoring once and providing two assists. His vision and energy were a constant threat. For Almere, Lance Duijvestijn showed composure from the penalty spot and linked play well, but he lacked support from his teammates.

What This Means

For Almere City, this result serves as a wake‑up call. Manager Alex Pastoor will demand a significant improvement in defensive organisation and physical preparation before the Eredivisie season starts in mid‑August. For TOP Oss Amateurs, the victory is a memorable milestone and a statement that their squad possesses real quality, even if they compete in the Derde Divisie (fourth tier).

– International Club Friendly, July 25, 2026