Review Feyenoord vs KAA Gent 19 July 2025
On their 117th birthday, Feyenoord’s third pre-season friendly ended in a 2-1 defeat to Belgian side KAA Gent. More concerning than the loss, however, was a seemingly severe injury sustained by Thomas Beelen.
Feyenoord was missing several key players for the match. David Hancko was absent to finalize his transfer to Al-Nassr, while Anis Hadj Moussa and Igor Paixão were sidelined with injuries. Hadj Moussa was present at Varkenoord and is expected to return soon, but Paixão will miss the start of the season. He is currently in Brazil, his home country, for rehabilitation.
In more positive news, Jordan Lotomba made his return to action after suffering a severe injury last season, playing his first minutes for Feyenoord since last November. In central defense, Jan Plug filled in for Hancko for the first hour of the match.
The game was played in four 30-minute segments on Varkenoord’s second pitch, limiting the crowd size compared to last week’s friendly against Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in De Kuip.
Match Recap
Gent started stronger, with Justin Bijlow making an early save after In-beom Hwang lost possession. Despite Bijlow’s efforts, Gent took an early lead in the third minute with a shot from Hélio Varela that deflected off Thomas Beelen and into the net.
Feyenoord gradually took control after Gent’s strong opening. Leo Sauer was particularly threatening on the left wing, taking Feyenoord’s first shot on goal and setting up Sem Steijn, who shot over the bar around ten minutes in.
A few minutes later, Steijn found the equalizer. He finished off a well-worked attack, receiving the ball from Ayase Ueda, who was set up by Gijs Smal after a good pass from Sauer.
Beelen’s Serious Injury
The second quarter of the match began dramatically for Feyenoord when Thomas Beelen collided hard with Varela, crying out in pain. Beelen received treatment for several minutes before being stretchered off the field. A serious injury is feared.
After a brief halt in play, little else happened in the second quarter. For the second hour of the match, Robin van Persie sent out a completely different Feyenoord XI.
The third quarter was also largely uneventful. For Feyenoord, Julian Carranza, playing as a number ten, and Jivayno Zinhagel had some dangerous shots on target. Gent came close to regaining the lead towards the end of the third quarter.
Gent did take the lead in the fourth quarter. After Fabiano Rust missed a golden opportunity to put Feyenoord up 2-1, Gent capitalized on a turnover by Ramiz Zerrouki, breaking forward with numbers. Dante Vanzeir ultimately scored with a low shot past Timon Wellenreuther. Stephano Carrillo had Feyenoord’s last chance for an equalizer in the final minutes, but it wasn’t to be.