Amateur side Quick Boys will look to extend their fairytale run in the KNVB Beker when they host Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen at Sportpark Nieuw Zuid on Thursday night, marking the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
The Blue-White Jesters have already stunned two top-flight sides in the competition, defeating Almere City and Fortuna Sittard, and will hope to pull off another upset to secure a historic quarter-final berth.
Match preview
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However, Heerenveen's status as an Eredivisie side and their history in this competition still makes them the favourites in this encounter despite the hosts' feat in the KNVB Cup this season.
Robin van Persie's side have endured a mixed league campaign, showing near-flawless home form but struggling on the road – nevertheless, they claimed an impressive 4-2 away victory at NAC Breda in their last outing, lifting them to mid-table in the Eredivisie standings.
Heerenveen's path to this stage of the KNVB Beker has also been marked by success on the road, overcoming fourth-tier IJsselmeervogels 3-2 in the first round and narrowly edging ASWH 1-0 despite going down to 10 men.
Winners of the competition in 2008-09 and two-time runners-up, the visitors have only advanced past this stage once in their last three cup campaigns, a record they will aim to improve upon here.
Quick Boys might be best known as the club where former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt began and ended his career in 1998 and 2018, respectively, but their exploits in this year's KNVB Beker have thrust them into the spotlight for a different reason.
The amateur outfit began their cup campaign in sensational style, recording a stunning 3-0 victory over Almere City in the first round before following it up with a 3-1 triumph over Fortuna Sittard in the second round.
Manager Thomas Duivenvoorden will lead his side out on Thursday, aiming to match their best-ever performance in the competition—a quarter-final finish in the 2007-08 season.
Quick Boys also impressed last season, reaching the round of 16, only to bow out on penalties against AZ Alkmaar after a thrilling 3-3 draw following extra time.
The Katwijk-based side are enjoying a remarkable domestic season as well, topping the third-tier standings with 12 wins and just one defeat in 17 matches.
Team News
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Quick Boys will rely on forward Milan Zonneveld, who has netted three goals in two KNVB Beker matches, alongside attacking midfielder Nick Broekhuizen, who has scored twice.
Ravelino Junte, back from suspension after missing the win over Fortuna Sittard, is also in contention for a starting spot.
Heerenveen, meanwhile, remain without defender Pawel Bochniewicz, who continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained in December.
Attacking midfielder Luuk Brouwers is also sidelined with a muscle issue, ruling him out until next month.
Quick Boys possible starting lineup:
Jansen; Bosman, Staal, Nwankwo, Bouwman; Reinders, Broekhuizen, Meerstadt; Junte, Zonneveld, Brouwer
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Van der Hart; Braude, Hopland, Kersten, Hall; Brouwers, Smans, Conde; Sebaoui, Rallis, Jahanbakhsh
We say: Quick Boys 1-2 Heerenveen
Quick Boys' dream run faces its toughest test yet, but the hosts' momentum and home support could make this competitive.
However, Heerenveen's quality should ultimately prevail despite an expected spirited showing from the underdogs, which is why we are tipping the Super Frisians to edge it.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
