Edson Braafheid (centre) notched a goal at either end as Twente defeated Groningen
FC Twente 3 (Braafheid 12, Gutierrez 84, Chadli 90)
FC Groningen 2 (Braafheid 23OG, Krim 26)
FC Twente win 4-2 on agg
FC Twente advance to the finals of the Europa League playoffs after two late strikes made them surpass FC Groningen’s fight-back in a 4-2 aggregate victory on Sunday morning.
Edson Braafheid scored a goal at either end, but first scoring for his side with a low drive from the edge of the box to put his team in a comfortable 2-0 position after 12 minutes.
A horribly sliced attempted clearance by Braafheid equalised for the visitors and Slovenian Andreas Kirm took advantage of a terrible goalkeeping error. Twente’s Sander Boschker totally mistiming the rush-out and Kirm nipped in front of the ‘keeper and finishing coolly to put Groningen in the lead.
But goals in the last six minutes put the hosts through. A whipping cross by Swedish defender Rasmus Bengtsson was headed in by Chilean trickster Felipe Gutierrez. On 84 minutes, Gutierrez rose above his fellow Chilean Stefano Magnasco at the back post to head past the helpless Marco Bizot.
The win was cemented with an excellent finisher from the impressive Nacer Chadli. Unchallenged just inside the penalty area, the Belgian curled the ball into the corner to make it 4-2.
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FC Utrecht 2 (Toornstra 9, 82)
Heerenveen 1 (Uth 89)
FC Utrecht win 3-1 on agg
FC Utrecht will meet Twente on Thursday evening in the first leg of the final after seeing off Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen 3-1 on aggregate on Sunday afternoon.
A stunning long-range free-kick from midfielder Jens Toornstra opened the scoring after only nine minutes, which meant Van Basten’s eleven had to chase the game.
And chase they did, especially Icelandic hotshot Alfreð Finnbogason going close on many occassions with Utrecht goalkeeper Robin Ruiter holding his goal well. The game was finished off for good with eight minutes to go with Toornstra grabbing his second goal. A surging run down the right by Mark Van der Maarel was hit straight at goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfledt and Toornstra smashed home the rebound.
The Friesen side grabbed a consolation goal from Mark Uth, which initially looked like it has been chalked off after Joey van den Berg had dived in the box before Uth took his shot. The right decision was made by referee and the goal was given.
Fred Rutten will not be the coach of Vitesse next season. After discussions with club president Merab Jordania and technical director Ted van Leeuwen, the coach announced on Saturday afternoon that he will not agree to contract extension and has left the club.
Rutten leaves after only one season in charge of Vitesse
Rutten spent only one season in charge of the Arnhem club and led them to fourth place in the league and qualification for Europa League football.
Explaining the reasons behind the departure, Rutten told Vitesse.nl: “There is no conflict between me and the owner. We exchange simple conversations, but it appears that our visions are far apart for the future of this club.”
“I’ve had a great year in which not only did we achieve the target of European football, but we also challenged for the title. For myself, it was an interesting experience, an experience I positively look back on, because you fully enjoy working with a serious group of players who were willing to work for you. I thank Vitesse for the opportunity and the fans for the support throughout my time here.”
In turn, Vitesse thanked the coach for the past year: “Together with his staff, Fred Rutten brought the club to a higher level with his methodical approach. We wish him every success in his future.”
Jong Oranje coach Cor Pot has selected his final 23 players to take to the Under-21 European Championships in Israel in June, and the squad is a strong one.
In the selection of 23, there are twelve players who have full Dutch international caps. The squad involves Daley Blind, Jordy Clasie, Leroy Fer, Marco van Ginkel, Ola John, Luuk de Jong, Adam Maher, Bruno Martins Indi, Ricardo van Rhijn, Kevin Strootman, Stefan de Vrij and Georginio Wijnaldum. Also included are Tonny Vilhena and Jeroen Zoet, who were in the Dutch squad earlier this season, but was not chosen by coach Louis van Gaal to make an appearance.
Memphis Depay – ready to make his Jong Oranje debut
PSV striker Memphis Depay is also in the 23, the young rookie may make his debut in the friendly match against Australia next week. Goalkeeper Nick Marsman of Go Ahead Eagles has also not played yet for the Under-21 side, but was part of the squad last year against Slovakia.
Pot surprisingly has left defenders Jeffrey Bruma of Hamburg and PSV’s Jetro Willems out of the squad. For Feyenoord’s Kelvin Leerdam, he has not played for some time in the Rotterdam’s club’s first team due to a contract dispute but Pot has shown faith in him to take him to Israel.
Heracles Almelo’s central midfielder Lerin Duarte has been chosen as first reserve if any of the 23 pull out before the tournament.
Jong Oranje have been drawn into the tough Group B against Spain, Germany and Russia, the tournament begins on June 5th.
THE SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Marco Bizot (FC Groningen), Nick Marsman (Go Ahead Eagles), Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk)
DEFENDERS: Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse), Daley Blind (Ajax), Mike van der Hoorn (FC Utrecht), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Bram Nuytinck (Anderlecht), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord)
MIDFIELDERS: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Leroy Fer (FC Twente), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Florian Jozefzoon (RKC Waalwijk), Kelvin Leerdam (Feyenoord), Adam Maher (AZ), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Tonny Trindade de Vilhena (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV)
STRIKERS: Memphis Depay (PSV), Ola John (Benfica), Luuk de Jong (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jürgen Locadia (PSV)
Staying – Stefan de Vrij signs on until 2016 at Feyenoord
Feyenoord central defender Stefan De Vrij has joined team-mate Jordy Clasie and elected to extend his stay at the Rotterdam club.
Oranje international De Vrij had been linked with Premier League rivals Everton and Liverpool but the 21-year-old has elected to join Clasie in deciding to extend his stay at De Kuip.
The Rotterdam outfit announced on Thursday morning that battling midfielder Clasie had signed an extension to his current deal to keep him at the club until 2016. The club have quickly moved to tie up the future of another young mainstay by convincing De Vrij to extend his deal until 2015, his deal was due to expire at the end of next season.
Despite much speculation regarding his future, De Vrij insisted he is delighted to have agreed to an extension and is hoping to help deliver silverware to the club after they were pipped to Champions League football on goal difference by PSV Eindhoven.
Speaking to Voetbal International, De Vrij said: “I still see a lot of room to improve myself and the team. I am very pleased that I can continue to be part of Feyenoord. I hope that we will be fighting for silverware again next season.”
Technical director Martin van Geel was quick to hail De Vrij’s decision to stay in Rotterdam and believes both he and Clasie will be vital to the club’s fortunes next term.
“It’s fantastic that we have brought our talks with Stefan to a satisfactory conclusion along with the agreement with Jordy,” Van Geel told Feyenoord.nl. “These are two are key to our team, so we are very happy that they have extended their contracts with Feyenoord with an eye to next season.”
Narrow 1-0 away wins for FC Twente and FC Utrecht give both teams a great platform to progress in this weekend’s second legs in the Europa League playoffs.
Twente players gather around Felipe Gutiérrez after his goal
FC Groningen 0
FC Twente 1 (Gutiérrez 22)
FC Twente took a big step towards the second round of the playoffs to qualify for European football, to salvage something from a poor season overall for the Enschede team. Twente finished sixth in the Eredivisie this season and the 1-0 win at FC Groningen on Thursday gives them a great chance of proceeding further on Sunday in the return leg.
With a half empty stadium and the rain pouring down, it was a desolate atmosphere in Groningen and the home crowd had nothing to cheer about after 22 minutes.
After Luc Castaignos and Willem Janssen had missed earlier opportunities, Felipe Gutiérrez made a beautiful, subtle movement to finish home for the only goal of the game, in the 22nd minute from a cross by former Groningen midfielder Dusan Tadic. Castaignos thought he had made it 2-0 late in the second period but it was chalked off for offside by the linesman.
The visitors then kept the upper hand throughout the game and they should have extended the lead through Roberto Rosales and Tadic. The home side were created chances occasionally, but in all fairness Twente goalkeeper Sander Boschker was barely tested.
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Cedric van der Gun is greeted with congratulation by his team for his vital goal
Heerenveen 0
FC Utrecht 1 (van der Gun 69)
FC Utrecht take home a 1-0 advantage against Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen, whose poor run continues.
It was a lacklustre first-half, as both teams seemed very hesitant to press forward and leave gaps in defence. After having played 69 minutes, the visitors took the lead through a Cedric van der Gun header, the striker meeting a cross from Jacob Mulenga.
Heerenveen pressed for a equaliser but to no avail, and Van Basten’s team will have to find form quickly to keep their European adventure alive when they meet again on Sunday.
On-loan striker Xandro Schenk hit the solitary goal in GAE’s big 1-0 win over VVV
Go Ahead Eagles 1 (Schenk 80)
VVV Venlo 0
VVV Venlo’s race for survival has fell at the first hurdle with a 1-0 defeat away to Go Ahead Eagles, they will be aiming to get back on track this Sunday in the second leg.
The only goal of the game was scored by Xandro Schenk (on-loan from Ajax) in the 80th minute. Go Ahead showed the more of the initiative and the opportunities for VVV were scarce.
VVV will have it all to do on Sunday with Go Ahead Eagles in pole position to move into the next round of playoffs.
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Brandley Kuwas celebrates his goal against MVV Maastricht
MVV 0
FC Volendam 1 (Kuwas 76)
A Brandley Kuwas goal gave FC Volendam a narrow lead heading into their second leg on Sunday at home to MVV Maastricht.
The match began with a poor first half as both teams were evenly matched without creating many opportunities. Volendam seemed a lot sharper than the hosts and in the second half they came alive with most chances falling to Ludcinio Marengo, but the attacker could not get the ball past MVV goalkeeper Bram Castro. But with fifteen minutes to go, Kuwas grabbed the all important goal sliding in to finish.
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After defeating Helmond Sport, Sparta Rotterdam take a 4-2 lead home
Sparta coach Henk ten Cate was disappointed with his side’s performance in their 4-2 away win over Helmond Sport, as he thought they should have scored EIGHT!
Sparta, undefeated under Ten Cate, went into this game with a different style and formation and pulled away into a 3-0 lead just after the hour with first-half goals from Gijs Luirink and Sandro Calabro, with Illiais Ben Hassani adding in the second half.
But a late rally from the hosts saw the lead reduced to a goal with Davy Brouwers and Zarko Grabovac made in the final stage worrying for the Rotterdam side, but an injury time Mimoun Mahi strike gave the visitors a two-goal cushion for the second leg.
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Anco Jansen is congratulated by teammates after the opening goal
De Graafschap 1 (Jansen 35)
Roda JC 1 (Demouge 55)
Roda JC has a took their first step towards in saving themselves from relegation with a vital 1-1 away draw against De Graafschap in Doetinchem.
Pieter Huistra’s side took the lead in the first half after Anco Jansen found some space and finished well on 35 minutes but a Frank Demouge (on loan from Bournemouth) header grabbed the important leveller. They meet in Kerklade on Sunday in the return leg.
With another season over and yet another season without trophies, PSV have gotten a lot of criticism lately. They spent loads of money on new players (mostly midfielders and attackers) over the last few seasons, which made them big favourites at the start of the season. Having scored an astonishing 103 goals in 34 matches, the attacking strikeforce seems very good, but due to 43 goals conceded, they eventually lost the title to Ajax, who claimed their third consecutive title. Fans have voiced their concerns about the transfer policy of the club. PSV should invest more in their leaky defense and give youth more chance in their opinion.
So, after head coach Advocaat announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season, PSV promoted assistant manager Phillip Cocu to the head coach role. In the presentation of their long-term plans, Cocu and Brands mentioned both investing in defense and youth as the new priorities for next season.
Over the last weeks, many articles about possible transfer targets for PSV popped up in Dutch media, with most of them confirmed by PSV staff. We made a list of potential signings and also included a list of players that will or might leave the club during the next transfer window.
Leaving – Mark van Bommel retired this weekend
Outgoing
Boy Waterman: Has been PSV’s first choice goalkeeper for most of the season, but was criticised by many fans. Contract expires this summer and according to VI, Cocu wants to let him go in order to give youth goalkeepers Jeroen Zoet and Nigel Bertrams a chance to compete with Tyton.
Wilfred Bouma: Senior defender in his second term for PSV. Played a few matches last year but was considered to slow for PSV’s defence. Today, new head coach Cocu has told Bouma that there will be no space for him in next year’s squad, so Bouma will have to make place when his contract expires this summer.
Marcelo: If anything has been made clear this season once more, it is the fact that PSV’s defence was once more incapable of making a strong impression. Among fans, Marcelo is the main victim of criticism. Made some fatal mistakes. Thijs Slegers, Voetbal International’s PSV watcher, announced a few days ago that Bundesliga side Werder Bremen appear to be interested in buying the 25-year old Brazilian defender. No formal approach has come in though, according to PSV technical director Marcel Brands.
Stanislav Manolev: Was loaned out to Fulham in January, and has told Dutch media that he is hoping for Fulham to activate the buyout clause in his contract.
Atiba Hutchinson: Player with the most appearances for PSV this season. Naturally a central midfielder, but switched to right back after Stanislav Manolev went on loan to Fulham in January. Earlier (in December 2012), 30-year old Hutchinson announced that he would not renew his expiring contract in order to be able to have one last adventure.
Orlando Engelaar: PSV already tried to get rid of him at the beginning of this season. Very expensive player wage-wise and mostly benched or in the reserves. His contract expires this seasons and PSV have announced not to renew his deal.
Mark van Bommel: Played a key role in PSV’s season. The 36-year old legend returned at the beginning of the season to play for PSV one last time. Despite recent attempts by PSV fans to get him to stay he announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Kevin Strootman: This 23-year old midfielder has once more had a very strong season alongside Van Bommel. With his performance, loads of clubs, including Manchester United, are interested in aquiring the services of the Dutchman.
Jeremain Lens: Had a good season as he scored 15 and gave 10 assists, but has been very open about his ambitions. He has already expressed his desire to play in the Bundesliga or Premier League several times.
Incoming
Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk): This young goalkeeper will return from two seasons on loan at RKC and is looking to compete for first goalkeeper with Tyton, after having had a good season in Waalwijk.
Mike van der Hoorn (FC Utrecht): 20-year old defender who has impressed this season for his current club FC Utrecht, with his team conceding 41 goals (less than PSV!). According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, PSV technical director Marcel Brands has already approached Mike informally if he would be interested in joining PSV.
Virgil van Dijk (FC Groningen): Another defender who has played a very solid season for his club, leading to interest from clubs in- and outside of the Netherlands. Marcel Brands was spotted in Groningen on the last day of the season as Groningen lost 0-2 to Ajax to check out the young defender.
Santiago Arias (Sporting Lisbon): Highly-rated young right-back from Sporting Lisbon. Has been a transfer target this whole season, but with both Manolev and Hutchinson expected to leave, a right back is now top priority.
Karim Rekik (Manchester City, loan): Dutch central defender currently playing for Manchester City. Played only one match for City this season, and isn’t expected to play much next season either. As reported by Thijs Slegers (Voetbal International), PSV might try to bring him to Eindhoven on a temporary deal.
Luis Felipe Ramos (Ituano): This young (16-year old!) Brazilian defender is currently on trial with PSV. If he turns out to be good enough for PSV, he can be brought in instantly as he appears to be able to get a European passport.
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Click on Joost’s name above to follow him on Twitter and also visit his blog at FM Holland.
Feyenoord has clinched highly-rated midfielder Jordy Clasie to a one-year contract extension, and the young prodigy is now contracted to the club until the summer of 2016.
Feyenoord capture Jordy Clasie until 2016
Clasie went through his entire youth development of Feyenoord and during the 2010/2011 season he was loaned to Excelsior, where he debuted in the Eredivisie. Since returning, the past two seasons, the midfielder has notched up 66 league games for Feyenoord and scored five goals, and has made the number six shirt his own.
Talking to Feyenoord.nl, the 21-year-old midfielder is delighted with the new deal: “My choice is to stay longer at Feyenoord, I want to help this club next season to play for trophies.”.
The future of Clasie has hung in the air for some time now, being linked with various clubs and the latest being in Italy with Fiorentina. The Dutch international added: “It means a lot to me to be able to stay here. I have been here fourteen years now and they have been fantastic to me. The last two years have been the most enjoyable and I consider myself and the team are doing well.”.
Technical director Martin van Geel states that it was important that the club sorted the future of Clasie out as soon as possible: “Over the last two seasons, Jordy has been an important part of Ronald Koeman’s team and has made great strides in his own personal development. He has already gained five international full caps for Holland. We always said to him that we would talk in May at the end of the current season, and we saw this as a vital part of the summer transactions, regarding the future of this tremendous young prospect.”.
Feyenoord also hopes to gain an agreement with central defender Stefan de Vrij on a new contract. The players current contract ends in July 2014. De Vrij has been linked with a move to the English Premier League with Everton.
Three clubs in Dutch football are in poor financial shape, the KNVB announced on Wednesday morning. Based on their interim results, ADO Den Haag, Fortuna Sittard and FC Emmen are listed in Category 1.
Clubs listed in Category 1 must work on their financial recovery and gain Category 2 status within three years. The KNVB will investigate each case and set-up a plan to clean up each club’s financial difficulties.
The report, compared with earlier this year, is a vast improvement. In January, five clubs were listed in Category 1 and were put under scrutiny by the organisation. Helmond Sport and FC Dordrecht were then also listed as being in financial danger but the clubs reported last month to now being classed in the second category. The now-defunct SC Veendam, who went bankrupt last month, is removed from the list, while FC Emmen have dropped into Category 1 from the last report.
Mark Boetekees, who is responsible for the KNVB report is pleased with the progress. “It’s good to see that clubs now realise that a good and consistent financial policy is important. They must continue to work on financial recovery to ensure that their future is secure.”
In total they are 23 of the 34 professional clubs in the safe category 2. These are: AZ, FC Den Bosch, SC Cambuur, FC Dordrecht FC Eindhoven, Excelsior, Feyenoord, De Graafschap, Helmond Sport Heracles Almelo, MVV Maastricht, NAC Breda, NEC, RKC Waalwijk Roda JC, Sparta Rotterdam, Telstar, FC Twente, FC Utrecht, Vitesse, VVV-Venlo, Willem II and PEC Zwolle.
Eight clubs are in excellent financial condition and are listed in Category 3: Ajax, Almere City FC, Go Ahead Eagles, FC Groningen, Heerenveen, FC Oss, PSV and FC Volendam.
All clubs have to submit their figures to the federation for the year 2013/14 by the next financial assessment, which will be on June 15.
Marc Overmars has agreed a new contract with Ajax as Technical Director. The former Oranje international has signed for four more years at the Eredivisie champions.
Overmars will remain at Ajax for the next four years as Technical Director
“I am delighted that I am now fixed into this position for four years” said Overmars to De Telegraaf. Previously, the former Arsenal winger had stated that he would have also preferred to extend his contract on a yearly basis.
In the interview with the newspaper, Overmars looked back and discussed his first year as Technical Director in Amsterdam.
“Our dealing in the transfer market has gone fairly well so far, although we would have liked to keep some of our talent. But despite the departures of Jan Vertonghen, Vurnon Anita, Gregory van der Wiel, Theo Janssen and Andre Ooijer we were still champions again, and that is very comforting that we coped with these losses.”
For the next season, Overmars has a lot to examine with head coach Frank de Boer. “What do we offer? I like to turn it over to Frank and ‘say what you want’, then we can look how to improve the team. And we will do this for the next four years.”
On Monday morning, Phillip Cocu was appointed new PSV Eindhoven head coach on a four-year deal.
Cocu replaces Dick Advocaat, who had previously stated his intention to step down at the end of the season if PSV Eindhoven failed to win the Eredivisie title. With the club finishing as runners-up and seven points adrift of Ajax in the standings, the former Holland coach is stepping aside to give Cocu the chance to lead the club.
42-year-old Cocu, who enjoyed two spells at the Eindhoven club as a player and six years at La Liga giants Barcelona, spent three months as PSV’s interim coach at the end of last season following the dismissal of Fred Rutten, before Advocaat then came in to take over the reins.
At a press conference on Monday morning, general manager Tiny Sanders said the appointment of Cocu will signal a shift in focus from instant success to bringing through young players and building a team for the future.
“PSV and Phillip Cocu have agreed a four-year contract as head coach,” Sanders said. “This expresses the intention to build a new PSV with the involvement and appearance that characterises the club.
“Both parties see the selection of Phillip Cocu, after a good debut as interim coach, as the right choice.
“After focusing on the championship in 2013, partly fuelled by the return of Dick Advocaat, we are now aiming to implement a long-term vision.
“Extra attention and investment will be made in our youth system. While individual training and guidance and a recognisable style of play at all levels are important examples of our priorities.
“Qualification for the Champions League this year is a great windfall but is secondary to the priorities previously mentioned.
“PSV would like to thank Dick Advocaat for his hard work in the 2012/13 season and wish him every success in his future challenges.
“He was willing to show his loyalty and was the same passionate man with a warm heart as he was during his first spell in charge, so we are very grateful.”
Faber, van der Weerden and Cocu to lead PSV for the next four years
Cocu will be joined by assistants Chris van der Weerden and Ernest Faber.
The former Oranje international said: “We are all eager to start. This is a challenging job with an ambitious new staff.
“We are going to build a new team. There will be changes in the squad. PSV will always go for the title but there is time enough.
“I am someone who likes to learn step by step and don’t want to go too fast. I also think you’re never too old to learn.
“I’m ready to take this step. It is a long-term thing but I am someone who, if he start something, wants to do well.”
It is rumoured that Ruud van Nistelrooy and recently retired Mark van Bommel will join the coaching staff in Eindhoven in the next few weeks.
Feyenoord finished the season in third just place missing a Champions League spot because of PSV’s majorly superior goal difference. They will enter the Europa League in August, but they did not get all their own way at home to NAC Breda.
The hosts were struggling to create any real good chances in a difficult first half but found a breakthrough just before the hour, although the goal scored by Graziano Pellè was debatable.
The Italian forward rose to head the ball towards the goal from a corner, this was cleared off the line by Breda’s Tim Gilissen. His header crashed off the cross bar and off the line but the linesman awarded the goal much to the protests of the NAC’s players.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Kolbeinn Sigthorsson scored Ajax’s to the opening goal
FC Groningen 0
Ajax 2 (Sigthórsson 8, Hoeson 72)
Champions Ajax travelled to Groningen looking for another three points to take their tally higher, as the home side were wishing to cement a Europa League playoff spot. Groningen did gain their playoff place but were still defeated 2-0 by Frank de Boer’s men. The hosts did trouble Ajax in parts but hot-shot Icelandic international striker Kolbeinn Sigthórsson scored an early goal after a lovely through ball from left-back Danny Blind, whom the striker finished coolly past Marco Bizot.
The win was confirmed and Ajax ended their season on a high when young substitutes Stefano Denswil and Danny Hoeson combined and the latter hit a beautiful right foot smashed in his fifth goal of the season.
Robert Maaskant’s Groningen play host to FC Twente on Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs.
HIGHLIGHTS
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NEC’s goalkeeper and captain leaves the club after seven years
NEC Nijmegen 1 (Conboy 90)
RKC Waalwijk 2 (Anderson 7, Jozefzoon 60)
RKC took the lead with the debutant attacking midfielder Kenny Anderson after 7 minutes after some great determined work from Florian Jozefzoon. In the second half, on 50 minutes Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Babos, moving to NAC Breda on July 1st, was substitute and received a standing ovation from the Nijmegen support.
On the hour, the away side doubled their lead. A counter attack lead by a big kick from on-loan goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet put Jozefzoon through who slotted home past Swedish goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson.
NEC gained a consolation goal on full-time from Kevin Conboy. Both teams finished safe on 37 points, just four points above the relegation trouble.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Both Heerenveen and Roda begin their playoffs on Thursday night
Roda JC 1 (Németh 31)
Heerenveen 0
Former Liverpool youth striker Krisztián Németh grabbed the only goal of the game as Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen lost their third game on the bounce.
The in-form Yassine El Ghanassy, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, went close a few times but failed to gain a goal for the vistors. Roda JC took the lead after Hungarian striker Németh found the net following a goal mouth scramble on 31 minutes,
Heerenveen finish in eighth and begin the Europa League playoffs on Thursday night facing FC Utrecht at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
Roda are in relegation trouble and start their relegation playoff campaign away to De Graafschap on Thursday also.
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Mark van Bommel retired after FC Twente 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven
FC Twente 3 (Castaignos 3, Chadli 27, Janssen 54)
PSV Eindhoven 1 (Mertens 40P)
PSV ended an horrible week and the reign under Dick Advocaat with a 3-1 defeat away to Europa League playoff qualifiers FC Twente.
PSV were down in under 3 minutes with an excellent solo effort bu Luc Castaignos. In the 27th minute, goalkeeper Boy Waterman’s poor clearance put the Eindhoven side under pressure and Nader Chadli finished with ease to double the advantage.
Before the half-time break, A striker challenge by Castaignos on midfielder Atiba Hutchinson gave PSV a penalty which Dries Mertens landed no problem.
The game was killed off on 54 minutes by a Willem Janssen goal after some great work down the left from Chadli.
Mark van Bommel, who announced his retirement after the match and looks to take up a coaching role at the Eindhoven club, was sent off in a fitting tribute on 71 minutes. He received a double booking for two awful challenges, the second an awful stamping challenge on Dusan Tadic.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Utrecht defeated Heracles 3-0 in a warm-up to their Euro playoffs
FC Utrecht 3 (van der Gun 54, Mulenga 71P, Toornstra 74)
Heracles 0
Fifth placed Utrecht defeated mid-table Heracles Almelo by a dominating three goals on their final week of the season, with all goals coming in the second half.
Cedric van der Gun, Jacob Mulenga and Jens Toornstra grabbed the goals as Utrecht head into the European playoffs this week.
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Fred Rutten’s side fell to a final day defeat at home to VVV
Vitesse Arnhem 0
VVV Venlo 1 (Linssen 27)
VVV Venlo brought a final day surprise with a hard fought 1-0 win away to fourth-place Vitesse Arnhem. Bryan Linssen gives VVV the surprise lead with some great determination shown by the winger and a good finish.
VVV face Go Ahead Eagles in a two-legged relegation playoff beginning on Thursday in Deventer.
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Virgil Misidjan wheels away in celebration
Willem II 2 (Misidjan 47, Wijnaldum 65og)
AZ Alkmaar 0
In another surprise win, already relegated Willem II grabbed a 2-0 home win against KNVB Beker winners AZ Alkmaar.
Both teams created opportunities but neither could find the net until the early stages of the second half when young winger Virgil Misidjan grabbing his eighth goal of the season. The Tilburgers were handed the win when AZ’s left-back Giliano Wijnaldum headed into his own net past Costa Rican goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado.
AZ will enter the Europa League next year due to their KNVB Beker win last Thursday against PSV as Willem II will begin their quest to regain an Eredivisie position in the Eereste Divisie in August.
Finally, a six goal thriller in Zwolle gave PEC a 4-2 victory over the ten-men of ADO Den Haag. Due to Heerenveen’s defeat ADO could have leapfrogged themselves into a European playoff spot but failed to do so.
The in-form Fred Benson grabbed another two goals adding to Mustafa Saymak and Youness Mokhtar’s goals. Santi Kolk and Rydell Poepon replied for Den Haag.
PEC Zwolle finish a respectable 11th in their first season back in the top flight as ADO finish ninth.
It took Go Ahead Eagles 76 minutes to break the deadlock in their second leg against FC Dordrecht on Saturday evening. They ran out 3-0 winners and play VVV Venlo on Thursday in the next round of the promotion/relegation playoffs.
A Cas Peters strike and two goals from Quincy Promes decided the match and tie for Deventer side, both players are on-loan from FC Twente.
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Fortuna Sittard 1 (Khalouta 76)
De Graafschap 3 (van der Meulen 52, Parzyszek 63, Jansen 85)
De Graafschap wins 5-2 on agg
A torrential rain filled night in Sittard finished Fortuna’s hopes of reaching the top flight for the first time since 2002. De Graafschap now need to get past Roda JC in the two-legged affair beginning on Thursday as they attempt to go back to the Eredivisie at the first time of asking.
Fortuna were without coach Wil Boessen who was serving a suspension after being sent to the stands in the last game.
The first goal came after half-time from a corner and big defender Timothy van der Meulen outmuscled his marker and powered a header home.
The tie was killed off just past the hour after some great work from Adil Auassar ended with a great cross to big Polish target man Piotr Parzyszek to head home for 2-0.
Aziz Khalouta gave Fortuna a bit of hope in the 75th minute pouncing a long ball and finishing past Joost Terol in goal.
The final nail in Fortuna’s coffin was a fortunate goal from Anco Jansen with only five minutes remaining. A cross-cum-shot that floated over the head of goalkeeper Ferhat Kaya in goal to cement the 3-1 victory and the second round place.
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