Feyenoord started the preparation for the new season on Saturday with a comfortable victory against SC Cambuur: 1-4. Record signing Sem Steijn made his presence felt with a goal for the Rotterdam club in his unofficial debut.
Feyenoord took the lead within half an hour through an own goal by Bram Marsman. The Cambuur defender unluckily deflected a pass from Steijn into his own net. Shortly after, Ayase Ueda converted a rebound. Cambuur goalkeeper Thijs Jansen, formerly with Feyenoord, couldn’t handle a shot properly.
Just before halftime, it was Steijn’s turn. The attacking midfielder, who came over from FC Twente, promoted a long pass from Gijs Smal to a goal. Coach Robin van Persie made ten changes at halftime. Jaden Slory, son of former international Andwelé Slory, increased Feyenoord’s lead in the second half.
Shortly before the end, Wiebe Kooistra salvaged pride for Cambuur, which celebrated the official opening of the new Kooi Stadion. The team of coach Henk de Jong has been playing in the new accommodation for almost a year. The club from Leeuwarden finished third in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie last season.
Several internationals were still missing from Feyenoord. Justin Bijlow did not play. The goalkeeper is still working on his fitness and will make his return later this preparation. Van Persie recently indicated that Bijlow will be his first goalkeeper next season and not Timon Wellenreuther.
Feyenoord will practice against Union Saint-Gilloise (July 12), KAA Gent (July 19) and VfL Wolfsburg (August 2) in the coming period. Van Persie’s team will play the first match in the third preliminary round of the Champions League on August 5 or 6. The draw for this preliminary round has yet to take place.