a tough end to the season
By: Jackson |
Add Comments
Feyenoord’s Europa League efforts came to a crashing halt and they lost 4-0 the second leg of their playoffs against NAC Breda at de Kuip.
The loss was particularly difficult to take given Feyenoord’s extraordinary comeback to earn a playoff berth and early on in the match, things looked very positive. The all changed just past the half hour when Tyrone Loran flicked on a free kick from the left to Rob Penders, who sent the ball into the net. At the half Michael Mols came in for Karim El Ahmadi in what is final appearance for the club but the thirty-eight year-old striker showed he was still very capable. However any thought of a comeback came to a crashing end five minutes after the restart as Anthony Lurling’s surged across the pitch only to provide veteran Martijn Reuser a close range goal. Forced to play forward now, Feyenoord fought with all it could muster but they could not break through with Kees Kwakman and Joonas Kolkka adding goals in the final five minutes for NAC.
The match concluded in a loss but as always Het Legioen showed its appreciation as the players walked off to applause. For Michael Mols and Henk Timmer it was their final appearance for Feyenoord and the moment was noticeably emotional. It was difficult year for Feyenoord but still there is much promise with a core of exciting young players leading the club forward.
Category: Team News
Het Legioen: it’s time to stand up for Feyenoord
By: Jackson | 1 Comment
Following an incredible run to earn a Europa League playoff spot, Feyenoord lost 3-2 defeat to NAC Breda in the opening leg of the playoff semi-finals. After a scoreless opening half NAC jumped to a two goal lead near the hour mark before Roy Makaay pulled one back for the Rotterdammers. That was a close as it got as both sides added late goals to bring the match to its final score. The second leg heads to de Kuip on Thursday with Feyenoord needing a win to advance.
In the early stages of the match Feyenoord owned momentum but slowly the home side grew in strength. Donny Gorter’s free-kick beat ‘keeper Henk Timmer midway of the first half but luckily for Leon Vlemmings men, went off the post. Despite evenly played at the half, NAC came out of the change rooms in a mood to dominate and added two goals before the hour. Eleven minutes after the restart Donny Gorter’s free-kick was headed back by Patrick Zwaanswijk with Rob Penders sending the ball in from a close range. Only four minutes later Kelvin Leerdam was adjudged a penalty for a handball and in Gorter converted from the spot. Nine minutes later Feyenoord were gifted a route back into the match as Tommie van der Leegte was cited for a debatable handball and without fail, Roy Makaay sent the ball in to make it 2-1. NAC restored its two goal lead with seven minutes left as Matthew Amoah played through Anthony Lurling only to head in a resulting cross. With time ticking down Jon Dahl Tomasson was brought down in the area by van der Leegte and with the spot pointed to, the Danish international made it 3-2.
Category: Team NewsRotterdammers come up short against Roda
By: Jackson | Add Comments
Feyenoord season ended with a unfortunate 3-2 loss to Roda JC at de Kuip. Despite the loss the Rotterdammers satisfied their goals of earning a spot in the Europa League playoff that starts on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead fourteen minutes in as Sekou Cissé accepted a long ball from Pa Modou Kah that seemed highly offside before making his way around Henk Timmer before scoring. Six minutes later Dwight Tiendalli was adjudging to bringing down Anouar Hadouir in the area in a bizarre confrontation as he slowed down to have the Roda man run into him. Along with a penalty, he was booked wit a straight red-card forcing Feyenoord to play a man down. Marcel Meeuwis converted and the roof seemed like it was caving in as Roda had taken a 2-0 lead. Ten minutes after the break Michael Mols flicked on a long ball to Roy Makaay and once again the veteran left-footed volleyed the ball in from just inside the area to make it 2-1. With twenty minutes remaining Laurent Delorge played in Anouar Hadouir who finished to restore the two goal margin for Roda. Four minutes later, in another controversial call, Pa Modou Kah was adjudged to handling the ball in the area and with a penalty awarded with Roy Makaay converting. With six minutes left when Kevin Hofland was red-carded but despite being two men down, Feyenoord continued to fight and came close to the equalizer but it was not to be and the match ended with a 3-2 loss.
Category: Team NewsGeorgino Wijnaldum’s late goal secures draw
By: Jackson | 1 Comment
Feyenoord’s remarkable play under Leon Vlemmings continued with a come from behind 2-2 draw against Utrecht.
Home side Utrecht were gifted an early chance with a peculiar penalty call on Kelvin Leerdam. Although Tom Caluwé was unable to convert from the spot only a few minutes later he opened the scoring as his drive from the left edge of the area took a slight deflection and into the back of the net. The Rotterdammers was able to equalize four minutes before the half-hour Giovanni van Bronckhorst accepted the ball on the left outskirts of the box and sent a low pass for Jon Dahl Tomasson to re-direct in. Chances were scarce for the balance of the half but after the restart Leon Vlemmings came out with a vengenance but attempts by Leroy Fer and Tim de Cler struck the bar. Five minutes past the hour Utrecht took the lead as Leroy George’s corner was half-volleyed in by Sander Keller from a few metres out. Needing production, Leon Vlemmings reached for forever young Michael Mols and as expected was warmly received by the host supporters remembering his days with the club. A minute later the match was even as Diego Biseswar’s diagonal cross into the box was headed-in by Georgino Wijnaldum.
Feyenoord’s final match of the season is Sunday as Roda JC visits de Kuip.
Category: Team News“Well, Roy did it again”
By: Jackson | Add Comments
The Leon Vlemmings-era in Rotterdam is ending with a flourish as Feyenoord defeated ADO Den Haag 3-2 today.
After a quiet opening half, the match exploded with five goals topped off with Roy Makaay adding the winner with eight minutes left. Den Haag broke the deadlock two minutes past the hour as Timothy Derijck haunted his former teammates by nodding in a corner. The Rotterdammers responded immediately and drew the match level two minutes later starting with a clever one-two between Diego Biseswar and Roy Makaay, only to the have the ball sent to Jon Dahl Tomasson for the final touch. The match opened up and scoring chances flowed openly and with fourteen minutes left Diego Biseswar crossed from the bye-line to the Dane international Tomasson to close-out from close range. Not deterred, with their own fight to avoid relegation, Den Haag squared the match up via Richard Knopper’s free-kick from the edge of the area with nine minutes left. However Feyenoord would not be denied the three points as a minute later Tim de Cler sent a ball into the box that Roy Makaay sent in for a perfect ending in his five-hundredth league match.
Category: Team NewsFeyenoord match Leon Vlemmings’ demands
By: Jackson | Add Comments
Leading into Twente’s visit of De Kuip on Saturday evening, Feyenoord manager Leon Vlemmings stated that is side “must win” the match if they are to have a hope for European football:
His side answered the call to perfection with a hotly contested 1-0 victory over Twente that saw three red-cards. The impact of the match was doubled as N.E.C. was held to a 1-1 draw by Roda JC pushing Feyenoord into a playoff spot with three matches remaining.
The early stages of the half were primarily defined by Twente’s efforts being denied by Henk Timmer or the woodwork doing its job against Kenneth Perez. However with fourteen minutes remaining Douglas was shown his second yellow for his unprofessional swipe from behind of Diego Biseswar in the area and the spot was pointed to. Roy Makaay calmly converted and Feyenoord had what turned out to be the winner. In the remaining moments both Twente’s Cheikh Tiote and Giovanni van Bronckhorst received their second booking in the match but the visitors could not find the equalizer and the match ended 1-0 in favour of Feyenoord.
Category: Team News“We have to beat Twente”
By: Jackson | 2 Comments
As Feyenoord welcomes Twente to De Kuip on Saturday evening, it will be with a stake of the Europa League playoffs on the line. Since Leon Vlemmings took over from Gertjan Verbeek in January the Rotterdammers have showed solid improvement and with a late surge are a single point off N.E.C. who occupy the final spot.
Twente are in a murderous fight for the Champions League spot they hold as they are only one point above Ajax with an intensely difficult schedule in the remaining matches. Following Saturday’s battle they visit Heerenveen, in their own fight for a UEFA Cup berth, followed up with soon-to-be Eredivisie champions AZ and the final weekend against Ajax in Amsterdam.
Noting the importance of the match, Leon Vlemmings said:
“We have to beat Twente, that much is clear. We are a point behind, with four matches to go. In Utrecht we play a direct opponent, but we cannot afford any slip-ups.”
There are no new injury situations to consider for Feyenoord. Denny Landzaat will feature in central defence along with Andwélé Slory coming into starting eleven on the right side of attack.
Category: Team NewsLeon Vlemmings era at Feyenoord finishes with flourish
By: Jackson | 1 Comment
The Leon Vlemmings era at Feyenoord is finishing with a flourish as de Rotterdammers beat Heracles Almelo 5-1. This sets up a dramatic closing four matches with a clear shot at a Europa League playoff spot.
Roy Makaay continued where he left off with three goals, the first coming three minutes in as after a mix-up with the Heracles ‘keeper Jørg van Nieuwenhuyzen collided with defender Emmanuel Boakye the ball came free to Georginio Wijnaldum outside the area. A quick cross in by Wijnaldum was nodded in by the veteran for the 1-0 lead. Twenty minute later the veteran added his second as he closed out Wijnaldum’s provision following a nice series of linkups with Luigi Bruins. Bas Dost closed the gap four minutes after the half-hour as he sent a close range rebound. In well control of the match the veteran Makaay drove another in the net, this from the spot just before the hour after Belgian international Birger Maertens was adjudged to fouling Georginio Wijnaldum in the area. Denny Landzaat adding the fourth from a free-kick twenty-five metres out in a slick deceptive play. As Het Legioen roared and Makaay stood before the ball, everyone seemed ready for the veteran to make a go at his fourth. However he carefully side-stepped the ball as Denny Landzaat turned and sent the ball in. Makaay was provider of the final goal which came five minutes later. As Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s corner was headed-on, the veteran pulled the ball back to Kelvin Leerdam for an easy finish and the eighteen year-old’s first goal in the Eredivisie.
Four matches to decide if Feyenoord head to the Europa League, starting with Twente, and following up with Den Haag, Utrecht and Roda JC.
Category: Team NewsHeracles Almelo visits De Kuip
By: Jackson | 2 Comments
With only five weeks remaining in the Eredivisie season Het Legioen pulls together as Feyenoord welcomes Heracles Almelo to De Kuip.
Four points out of a Europa League playoff spot the margin for error is the smallest of small ones. Although recent performances have been promising, last weeks loss to Volendam. However with Heracles Almelo, Twente Enschede, ADO Den Haag, Utrecht and Roda JC Kerkrade in the remaining weeks the Leon Vlemmings era could come to a close on a high note.
Under Leon Vlemmings, who is soon to be replaced by N.E.C. Nijmegen’s Mario Been, Feyenoord has responded well if even injuries were still a brake on their advances. Since replacing Gertjan Verbeek, the club has shown marked improvements and can look back fondly of a five match unbeaten streak that included upsets of NAC and PSV as well as holding the soon-to-be champions to a draw.
For the Almelo side, they are just slightly above the relegation zone but a bit too close for comfort. With only a single win away from home this year Feyenoord will want to exploit their anemic attack and find the much-needed three points. The will be without suspended André Bahia, replaced by Serginho Greene and Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Leon Vlemmings is very aware the visitors will be looking to grind out points and could easily push the match towards a defensive lock-down. Exalting his forces with a wise attacking mind-set he added:
“We will have to be patient and accurate when we have the ball. We have to try to create chances from the flanks.”
Of the race for the playoff spot he added simply:
“I’ve always said that’s our goal. And I couldn’t care less how we do it. As long as we have made it after 34 games.”
Category: Team NewsFeyenoord loses 2-1 to Volendam
By: Jackson | 6 Comments
After last weeks remarkable performance against Eredivisie leaders AZ, Feyenoord’s five match unbeaten streak came to an end losing 2-1 to FC Volendam. The loss was costly to de Rotterdammers as it leaves them four points shy of a Europa League playoff spot with only five remaining weeks.
Leon Vlemmings side were efficient in their play in the first forty-five minutes, not letting Volendam threaten Henk Timmer once and owning the attacking aspect of the match. Five minutes in Diego Biseswar attempt hammered off the bar but at then tenth minute veteran Roy Makaay made it 1-0, his 300th goal in club play. Continuing to direct play Feyenoord was close to adding to the lead when Makaay provided Georginio Wijnaldum the ball but once again the post was Volendam ‘keeper Jeroen Verhoeven best friend and it hammered off it. The second half was completely different as Volendam needing to fight out of the drop zone, came out with a fierce attitude. A poor clearance attempt by Giovanni van Bronckhorst lead to ball coming to Dominique van Dijk and after fighting off Feyenoord defenders he pounded the ball into the net. Sensing three points, the hosts had Feyenoord on their heels as the match opened up tactically. After both sides missed chances, van Dijk found the winner with eight minutes remaining with a surging run that he finished with a drive to the back of the net. The match was far from over as Diego Biseswar found the goalpost again as Feyenoord unsuccessfully looked to level but it wasn’t their day and the match ended 2-1.
Photo Credit: Feyenoord Rotterdam
Category: Team News
Home 
