Telstar's Hetli Hat-Trick Sinks De Graafschap in Friendly

De Graafschap made the brighter start and took an early lead through A. Darelas in the fifth minute, giving the home crowd reason for optimism. The hosts looked to build on that advantage, but their defending soon unraveled against an increasingly dangerous Telstar side. What appeared to be shaping up as a routine home win quickly turned into an afternoon to forget for the Doetinchem outfit.

Telstar struck back through S. Hetli in the 31st minute before the same player added his second just sixty seconds later to flip the script entirely. Hetli was proving almost unplayable, and he completed his hat-trick eight minutes later in the 39th minute after R. Mendes had also found the net in the 35th. De Graafschap were in freefall and trailed 1-4 at that point, with their defensive shape in tatters and their attacking threat having evaporated.

The second half saw Telstar add a fifth through P. Brouwer in the 65th minute, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt. De Graafschap did show some resilience late on when D. Eijken grabbed a goal in the 83rd minute, but it merely provided a consolation. Telstar had controlled large portions of the match and their clinical finishing in the opening forty minutes proved decisive.

The 6-3 scoreline represented a valuable day's work for the visitors, who impressed with their attacking verve and efficiency in front of goal. For De Graafschap, the heavy defeat offered stern lessons ahead of the new season despite their early promise. Both sides will take plenty from the encounter as they continue their pre-season preparations.