Feyenoord Faces Amateur Challenge in Dutch Cup Clash

RIJNSBURG, Netherlands — Feyenoord, one of the Netherlands’ top football clubs, faces an unexpected challenge as it takes on amateur side Rijnsburgse Boys in a Dutch Cup match tonight at Sportpark Middelmors. The match, set to kick off at 9 p.m., has drawn significant attention as the amateur team aims to replicate last year’s surprise victory over Ajax.

Feyenoord, currently fourth in the Eredivisie and competing in the Champions League, enters the match with a reshuffled lineup. Key defender Gernot Trauner is absent, with Thomas Beelen stepping in as a central defender. Justin Bijlow will start as goalkeeper, while Givairo Read takes the right-back position. Midfield options are limited due to injuries, with Ramiz Zerrouki, Gjivai Zechiël, and Antoni Milambo forming the core.

Rijnsburgse Boys, second in the Dutch Second Division, is no stranger to upsets. The team has already defeated two professional clubs this season: Roda JC and FC Volendam. Coach René van der Kooij, who previously led amateur club Hercules to a shock victory over Ajax, is optimistic about his team’s chances. “We have nothing to lose,” he said during a training session. “We can play good football, and we believe we can win.”

Van der Kooij emphasized the importance of a solid defense and quick counterattacks. “Feyenoord will make mistakes, and we need to capitalize on them,” he added, noting that the uneven pitch at Sportpark Middelmors could work in his team’s favor. “We’re used to it; they’re not.”

Feyenoord’s coach, Brian Priske, has made several changes to his starting lineup, including benching regular starters like Dávid Hancko and Igor Paixão. The team is coming off a loss to FC Utrecht, adding pressure to perform against the underdogs.

Despite the odds, Van der Kooij remains realistic. “Feyenoord is a top club, and Ajax last year was not as strong as they are now,” he said. “But we have a plan, and if everything aligns, we can make it difficult for them.”

The match promises to be a David-versus-Goliath encounter, with Rijnsburgse Boys hoping to write another chapter in their fairy-tale cup run. Fans and neutrals alike will be watching closely to see if the amateurs can once again defy expectations.