On April 22, 1997, FC Den Bosch played a friendly against championship contenders Feyenoord (at that time second in the league, 2 points behind PSV), to open the renovated stadium De Vliert. Feyenoord came with its strongest squad (bar Gaston Taument, on his way to Benfica), but had no chance, although Den Bosch left 3 first squad members (Van Grinsven, Schaap, and Lucius who came on in the second half) on the bench. Anthony Lurling scored twice on his 20th birthday and missed a penalty into the bargain, before Larsson reduced the deficit in the last minute, in front of 3,500 spectators. Line-ups: FC Den Bosch: Aerts; Stricker, Van der Hoorn (73' Hol), Janssen, Gösgens (77' Van Overbeek); Abdellah (46' Laisina), Gerver, Snip (46' Lucius), Van Helmond; Lurling, Van Nistelrooy. Feyenoord: De Goey (46' Dudek); Boateng, Fräser, Koeman (46' Zwijnenberg), Picun, Graff; Van Gastel, Sanchez, Van Bronckhorst; Larsson, Montoya.