FC Volendam delivered a strong statistical performance in a friendly match against Maastricht on August 21, 2026. The numbers, reported by ESPN, show a team that took the initiative and posed a greater threat to the opponent's goal.
The match, played as part of pre-season preparations, was characterized by an evenly contested battle. FC Volendam held 51 percent of possession compared to Maastricht's 49 percent. That slight advantage in ball control translated into more purposeful play. Manager Regillio Simons's side registered two shots on target, against just one from Maastricht. Their shooting accuracy of 22 percent was also significantly higher than the opponent's 10 percent.
How did the match unfold?
FC Volendam was more proactive in attack and tried to dictate play. The team attempted 458 passes, completing 360 of them for a 79 percent success rate. Maastricht was slightly more accurate, completing 354 passes from 434 attempts for an 82 percent rate. Defensively, Volendam was also slightly more aggressive. They made 32 tackles to Maastricht's 29 and recorded twelve clearances to ten.
Discipline remained good, with only one more foul than the opponent. FC Volendam committed fifteen fouls, Maastricht fourteen. Both teams were caught offside once. On corners, Maastricht had a clear advantage with five compared to Volendam's two. The goalkeepers were tested relatively little. Each keeper made just one save, underlining the limited clear-cut chances.
What does this mean for the new season?
This friendly comes for a team that finished 14th in the Eredivisie last season. FC Volendam collected 28 points from thirty games, with seven wins, seven draws, and sixteen defeats. Their recent form was concerning with a run of one draw and four losses. The goal difference of minus nineteen, with 31 goals for and 50 against, is a clear area for improvement.
The gap to the top is substantial. Volendam finished 46 points behind champions PSV Eindhoven. The team must make significant strides to settle into the mid-table. Preparations, with tests like this one, are essential for that. Fans can follow the full squad and individual statistics on our squad and stats pages.
What are the next steps?
The focus now shifts to the league campaign. The next official fixture is scheduled for December 6, 2026, an away match against NAC Breda. Breda currently sits 17th in the table, making it an important clash in the lower reaches. A strong start is vital for confidence and league position.
The statistics against Maastricht provide hope that there is progression in playing under pressure and in build-up play. The ability to dictate the game, even marginally, is a positive sign. The challenge remains to convert that dominance into more goals and ultimately points. The full league schedule for the coming months can be found on our fixtures page. The coming weeks of training will be crucial to further sharpen physical and tactical readiness for the start of the competitive season.
