Kwakkelend De Graafschap stumble again in Venlo for second defeat

Kwakkelend De Graafschap arrived in Venlo with hopes of bouncing back but fell to a 2-1 defeat, extending their winless run to two matches in the new Keuken Kampioen Divisie season.

Early season woes for De Graafschap

The ambitious Superboeren have not started the Keuken Kampioen Divisie-seizoen well, losing their second game in a row after a disappointing opening day.

Before this encounter they endured a painful 2-5 home loss to Jong AZ, leaving the squad eager for redemption on the road.

In the early stages of the Venlo match, VVV provided the first breakthrough when Julian Kania slipped the ball past De Graafschap to make it 0-1.

VVV-Venlo secure win under former boss

Just before halftime, Nassim Ait Mouhou levelled with a soaring header, and minutes later Raf Vullers added the winner from a tight angle, putting VVV-Venlo ahead 2-1.

De Graafschap pressed for an equaliser in the second half; Kaya Symons came close with a long-range effort, but VVV goalkeeper Youri Schoonderwaldt breathed a sigh of relief after the save.

VVV-trainer Marinus Dijkhuizen, who was in charge of De Graafschap from January 2025 to June 2026, celebrated his second consecutive victory, this time against his former club.

Under Thomas Duivenvoorden, De Graafschap sit on a single point after three matches, while VVV-Venlo have begun the campaign commendably with six points from three games.