Cocu, Van Der Weerden & Faber – the management team in Eindhoven
Voetbal International state that Phillip Cocu will sign a four-year contract early next week to become the new head coach of PSV.
Cocu, currently coach of the PSV A1 youth team replaces Dick Advocaat in the manager’s hotseat after just one season.
Former FC Eindhoven coach Ernest Faber and Chris van der Weerden be his assistants and the trio will be presented on Monday or Tuesday in a press conference.
Advocaat, had already decided in December already that he did not wish to stay beyond this season: “I think it’s too much at the moment. As I feel now, I will not go to another club to manage.”
“We all know what the problem is with PSV,” said Advocaat after the 2-1 defeat to AZ in the KNVB Beker final on Ascension Day. “There will be a number of players leave and therefore this makes money available to strengthen the squad. I think Cocu, Faber and Van der Weerden know what they want for next season.”
Championship winning manager Frank De Boer of Ajax has been awarded the Rinus Michels Award for being voted ‘Coach of the Year’.
The Rinus Michels Award is an annual prize in Dutch football and is supported by the official football coaches union (“Coaches Betaald Voetbal”). The award is named after Rinus Michels, who was named ‘Coach of the Century’ by FIFA in 1999.
De Boer wins the award for the first time in his coaching career, fending off last years winner Feyenoord’s Ronald Koeman, PEC Zwolle’s Art Langeler, Vitesse’s Fred Rutten and FC Utrecht’s Jan Wouters.
De Boer adding more trophies to his vast collection
No-one can deny De Boer of the award, who has guided Ajax to their, and his third Eredivisie championship in a row.
Oranje coach Louis van Gaal picked up the ‘Oeuvre’ award, which congratulates a coach for their career, while Marcel Groninger of Be Quick 1887 won ‘Best Amateur Coach’.
Finally, Feyenoord won the ‘Best Dutch Youth Academy’ award for fourth straight season. An academy which has produced such talent as Stefan de Vrij, Jordy Clasie, Tonny Vilhena, Jean Paul Boetius and Bruno Martins Indi over the past few years.
Defensive midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has signed a three-year deal with PEC Zwolle on a free transfer from Feyenoord. He is the first summer acquisition for Zwolle and the transfer will be made official on July 1st when the European Transfer Window opens.
The 22-year-old South African previously played for SuperSport United in his homeland before moving to the Netherlands in 2008 where he signed with Feyenoord, who subsquently loaned him to feeder club Excelsior.
Mokotjo states he is delighted with his move to Zwolle. “I was ready for a new challenge and I am happy with this opportunity.
“A few weeks ago the club showed some interest in me and after an initial discussion with Zwolle coach Ron Jans and technical director Gerard Nijkamp, I was positive that something good would happen.
“This season Zwolle have done well in all competitions. They also have a great stadium, a good vibe and big crowds that I can’t wait to play in front of,” he tells PECZwolle.nl
Nijkamp says he is pleased with their acquisition. “For PEC Zwolle, Kamohelo Mokotjo is a real asset. He is the type of player that we do not have. He creates the perfect balance in midfield and creates space. We are very happy that it has worked out as we have wanted this player for a long time,” he adds.
It went all wrong on Thursday night for PSV. The Eindhoven club knew they could end the season on a real high by clinching the KNVB Beker but they failed at the hands of AZ Alkmaar.
Strootman: “We all need to look in the mirror. Me too”
“This was the chance to finish the season in a dignified way”, said PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman after the game. “We had the chance to still give the supporters something, the atmosphere they created was fantastic, but we have let them down.”
“We have to make a stand and we did not succeed, due to our own mistakes and for that we need to look in the mirror. Me too.”
PSV found themselves 2-0 down at De Kuip after just fifteen minutes through goals from Adam Maher and Jozy Altidore.
Strootman: “We gave away too much space and AZ scored from their first two chances and when they both go in, it then becomes difficult…”
After half an hour of play, Jürgen Locadia grabbed an goal, but then PSV failed to produce any chances. Until, Jeremain Lens was close to equalizing as he smashed his shot against the post late in the game.
Although PSV had three penalty claims turned down in the game, Strootman refuses to use that as an excuse: “Let’s not talk about it, otherwise I’ll be accused of complaining.”
AZ Alkmaar hit a quickfire double to defeat favourites PSV Eindhoven two goals to one in De Kuip, Rotterdam to win their fourth KNVB Beker. The goals came from American international Jozy Altidore and Adam Maher. 19-year-old Maher showed the veterans of PSV how it’s done with an excellent opening goal and overall majestic performance.
In a dream start, Gertjan Verbeek’s side went a goal ahead from some magic from the young attacking maestro. Recieving the ball on the edge of the area, Maher ghosted past several PSV defenders and slotted the ball past Boy Waterman in the PSV goal after only 11 minutes. It was horrendous defending by Dick Advocaat’s team but a sublime piece of skill and the finish to match from Maher.
PSV needed to re-group and quickly, but unfortunately for De Boeren, it was not quick enough and they were hit with a sucker punch, two minutes later. The powerful Altidore scored his 32nd goal in all competitions this season on 13 minutes. A long ball through from Viktor Elm set-up the big strong American who ventured into the box, and forced a strong shot underneath Waterman. It was poor goalkeeping and poor defending all around from PSV again.
AZ were in full control is respect of the scoreboard but they were lucky to escape a good penalty shout against them. A Jurgen Locadia strike appeared to hit the arm of defender Nick Viergever, but referee Bjorn Kuiper waved play on.
It took some excellent work from Dries Mertens to create the PSV goal. Mertens sped past two defenders and crossed towards the back post where the ball met Wilfried Bouma’s head. Bouma’s header zipped across the goal for youngster Locadia, picked ahead of Tim Matavz for today’s game, to finish to give PSV some faith. This goal was PSV’s 144th goal in just 49 games this season and this equals a club record they set back in the 1987/88 season.
After the break, PSV came out looking likely that the Eindhoven side would reel in AZ during the second half, but chances for Mertens, Locadia and Strootman went begging and Jermain Lens missed a glorious opporuntity ten minutes from time, crashing the post with his close range shot.
AZ now enter Europe next season without having the worry of the playoffs, they will begin in the fourth qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. It is their first silverware since their 2009 Eredivisie title.
After the match, Jozy Altidore stated that this season ‘boys became men’ in this AZ side and on this performance, we can see that statement is accurate. What the future holds for this team is set to be seen with Maher almost certain to move on and Altidore, on this form, will be a wanted man throughout Europe.
Some major changes will happen this summer for PSV and on this display, they are well needed, whether or not Marcel Brands will be given the chance to spend money will need to be seen.
Teddy Chevalier has left RKC Waalwijk after he and the club agreed on a mutual termination of their contract.
Teddy Chevalier here challenging Feyenoord’s Stefan de Vrij
Chevalier arrived last summer from Zulte Waregem, after scoring 19 goals in 94 appearances for the Belgian side. For Waalwijk, he has netted nine times in 28 appearances and the Frenchman still had two years left on his existing deal. The player’s days were numbered after repeated misconduct and a suspension by coach Erwin Koeman.
“We are waiting for the player’s signature to make it official” said technical director of RKC, Janus van Gelder, who confirmed that the attacker will no longer be with the team this coming weekend when RKC takes on NEC in the last game of the season.
A move back to Belgium could be on the cards for the striker, reportedly KV Mechelen are interested in signing him for next season.
Eagles’ Bart Vriends in duel with Dordrecht’s Fouad Idabhelhay
FC Dordrecht 3 (Veldwijk 21, 40)
Go Ahead Eagles 3 (Heerkens 25, Türüç 45+2, Houtkoop 56)
Dordrecht and Go Ahead Eagles shared six goals on Wednesday night in a lively game with some great goals.
Lars Veldwijk grabbed two goals for the hosts and the first came after 21 minutes. The energetic Jeffrey Rijsdijk provided the assist. Four minutes later and the visitors were level, Freek Heerkens scoring on 25 minutes.
Go Ahead found themselves a goal down again in the 40th minute and this time a man down. Bart Vriends conceded a penalty whom Veldwijk smashed down the middle for his second of the game, the defender was given his marching orders from referee Richard Liesveld.
But again, Dordrecht were not ahead for long. Two minutes into first-half injury time, Turkish Under-19 international Deniz Türüç curled a free-kick perfectly past a stranded Warner Hahn in the home goal.
Dordrecht showed aggression in the second half as they searched for a third goal but a blunder from Hahn let Go Ahead take the lead against the run of play. Failing to collect the ball on the edge of the box, Hahn lost out to Türüç. The young Turk was smart and instead of shooting, crossed the ball towards the back post. He had spotted the arriving Xander Houtkoop and the winger placed his head onto the ball into the empty net.
It took the home side until ten minutes from time to find an equaliser, and it came from Cape Verde international defender Josimar Lima. A floating free-kick sent into the penalty area by Rijsdijk, and Lima rose above everyone to head into the corner of the net to clinch the draw.
The winner over two legs faces VVV Venlo in the second round.
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Piotr Parzyszek rises above the Fortuna defence to head home
De Graafschap 2 (Parzyszek 45, 70)
Fortuna Sittard 1 (Vets 80)
Two headed goals from soaring Polish striker Piotr Parzyszek provides De Graafschap a great chance of meeting Roda JC in the second round of the playoffs, despite a 80th minute consolation goal from Fortuna’s Niels Vets.
Target man Parzysek, 6ft 3inches, got on the end of a pair Tim Vincken’s crosses for Peter Huistra’s men but Belgian defender Vets gave Fortuna Sittard a salvation in this two-legged affair.
Jong Oranje coach Cor Pot has announced a strong provisional Netherlands squad for the 2013 UEFA Under-21 European Championships, which begins on 5th of June in Israel.
Pot has selected the below list of 40 players to be reduced to 23 before the start of the tournament.
DEFENDERS: Daley Blind (Ajax), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburger SV), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Mitchell Dijks (Ajax), Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (sc Heerenveen), Kelvin Leerdam (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Miquel Nelom (Feyenoord), Bram Nuytinck (Anderlecht), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse), Mike van der Hoorn (FC Utrecht), Virgil van Dijk (FC Groningen), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV),
MIDFIELDERS: Leandro Bacuna (FC Groningen), Thomas Bruns (Heracles Almelo), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Lerin Duarte (Heracles Almelo), Leroy Fer (FC Twente), Adam Maher (AZ), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Tonny Trindade de Vilhena (Feyenoord), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Ricky van Haaren (VVV-Venlo), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV)
FORWARDS: Memphis Depay (PSV), Luuk de Jong (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Danny Hoesen (Ajax), Guus Hupperts (Roda JC), Ola John (Benfica), Florian Jozefzoon (RKC Waalwijk), Jürgen Locadia (PSV), Rajiv van la Parra (sc Heerenveen), Yanic Wildschut (VVV-Venlo), Género Zeefuik (FC Groningen)
The Under-21 coach has selected a very strong squad with the likes of Luuk de Jong, Kevin Strootman, Jordy Clasie, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jetro Willems already been capped at full international level.
De Jong even though has senior experience with the Netherlands, he knows he still has plenty to prove at this summer’s Euros. The Borussia Mönchengladbach striker, who won his first full cap more than two years ago, aged 20, has since gone on to pick up six more. However, he remains part of the Jong Oranje setup and looks set to be part of the squad that Pot takes to Israel. The Dutch face a tough task in Group B against Spain, Germany and Russia.
“Every youth tournament, for every player, is an experience in itself,” De Jong told UEFA.com. “You can learn a lot by playing against your own age group. These are the best players in Europe and that’ll be a great experience. I have played for the senior team as well, which is another step higher, and you learn a lot from that. But here me and some other guys who also played in the senior team already, we all need to show we deserve to be part of this team.
“If you win the tournament … that’s the thing you are hoping for. Perhaps with the qualities we have we might be able to reach that, but you have to adjust as a team first. You have to approach each game in a focused manner and fight for each other all the way – then you might have a chance.”
Coach Cor Pot will leave the Jong Oranje management team after the tournament in June, Albert Stuivenberg, the mastermind of the Dutch Under-17s’ back-to-back European triumphs, will succeed Pot.
The 42-year-old has signed a contract running until the conclusion of the Brazil 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and will look to replicate his success with the Under-17 team. Under Stuivenberg, the Netherlands won back-to-back European Under-17 Championships though they failed as double title holders to qualify for this month’s final tournament in Slovakia.
Siem de Jong (left) may not be returning to win a fourth title with Ajax next season
Yesterday, Siem de Jong won the third consecutive champion with Ajax but the question is whether the club captain will be in Amsterdam next season when Frank de Boer’s side attempt to win the fourth title in a row.
“I decide this summer exactly what I’ll do next,” said De Jong speaking to Eredivisie Live on Sunday afternoon after the win against Willem II. “If a club attracts me and I will leave here with a very good feeling about it.”
For now, no club has contacted Ajax in regards to a transfer for the midfielder, but it is known that he hopes to make the step into a different league with a new challenge. The three-time title winner spoke earlier in the season with a preference of a move to a Germany. However, he states he will not just say ‘yes’ to any offer from the Bundesliga.
“The Bundesliga really appeals to me, but it depends mainly on what club is coming for me. I will choose a club what is right for me, rather than the competition but first let’s see if there is a club interested in me.”
As expected, Ajax Amsterdam won their 32nd Eredivisie title, and third in a row today as they put five past Willem II, which condemned the Tilburg club to the Jupiler League next season.
Ajax champions for the third year in the row
For the third season in a row, Ajax Amsterdam are the Eredivisie champions.
Manager Frank de Boer stated to Eredivisie Live after today’s game: “We have been the most consistent. This year, we were able to finish our games in the first half of the season and then we have had a nice 5-0 championship winning game today. You should reward yourself and the public like we did today. With maybe a little luck, we feel we could have won by a bigger margin but nevertheless, we are proud of this title.”
“Were we the rightful champions? Yes, I think so. We have been the most consistent and I think we have played the best football.” he added. De Boer now joins Ronald Koeman as only men to have won at least three league titles in the Netherlands as player and a coach. In another interesting record, De Boer joins former Barcelona team-mate Pep Guardiola as a player and coach to three-peat with the same club.
An amazing 38 goals were scored on the penultimate round of fixtures of the Eredivisie season, full report tonight!
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The F-side unveil the 32nd Championship flag
Ajax 5 (Sigthórsson 12, Eriksen 25, Fischer 68, de Jong 82, Hoesen 89)
Willem II 0
The champions went out and got the job done in style with a 5-0 demolition of Willem II Tilburg which sent the visitors back down into the Jupiler League. The party got underway after just 12 minutes when Kolbeinn Sigthórsson delivered a well-executed diving header following a great cross from Ryan Babel. The lead was extended thanks to an error from Tilburg keeper David Meul, who let a long drive from Christian Eriksen slip through his hands after 25 minutes.
After Danish 18-year-old winger Viktor Fischer had added a third, the fans in the F-Side of the Arena unveiled the flag in the picture above and started the celebrations. Within ten minutes to Siem de Jong added a fourth before substitute Danny Hoesen got in on the act minutes later.
After a third straight title, the Amsterdammers will now want to focus on competing in the UEFA Champions League, but fear they could lose players like Fischer, De Jong, Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld to foreign clubs.
“This feels great but it would be perfect if this team sticks together for another year so we can try to survive the Champions League group stage,” said left back Daley Blind, who signed a new three-year contract last month.
On the other end of the spectrum, Willem II now face at least another season in the Eerste Divisie, and will hope to hang onto young stars like Genaro Snijders, Virgil Misidjan and Niek Vossebelt to try and come back up to the top level as soon as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Stefan de Vrij has possibly played his last game for Feyenoord
ADO Den Haag 2 (van Duinen 10, Holla 37P)
Feyenoord 0
It was a bad day all around for Ronald Koeman’s Feyenoord as they day ended with top scorer Graziano Pelle missing a last minute penalty, as well as losing defender Stefan de Vrij with a broken nose, which could have been his last game for the club.
Den Haag prodigy Mike van Duinen continued his great goal scoring form putting ADO ahead after 10 minutes of play. Feyenoord failed to get a grip on the match and after 37 minutes they found themselves 2-0 down. Danny Holla placed home a spot-kick awarded to the hosts after Daryl Janmaat fouled Tjaronn Chery in the area.
Feyenoord will play in the Europa League next year after PSV’s victory today made them out of reach in the last round of fixtures due to the Eindhoven club’s superior goal difference.
HIGHLIGHTS
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NEC’s Gabor Babos is stranded after Daan Bovenberg own goal sails over the Hungarian goalkeeper
PSV Eindhoven will join the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign in the summer after clinching second place in the standings but it was not all plain sailing in their 4-2 victory over NEC Nijmegen on Sunday afternoon.
PSV gained a stroke of luck to get the day going in the right direction after Daan Bovenberg’s own goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead after 9 minutes. A long throw was zipped in from the left and the NEC defender flicked it over goalkeeper Gabor Babos’ head, much to the Hungarian’s displeasure. It was 2-0 before half-time with a superb goal from Swedish striker Ola Toivonen which was PSV’s 100th goal of the season.
PSV’s jubilation then turned to panic in the second half, when the visitors grabbed two goals back and levelled the game. Nick van der Velden and Frenchman Remy Amieux, both notched after fumblings in the Eindhoven defence, and the Phillips Stadion spectators were not happy.
Up stepped Jermain Lens just two minutes after Amieux’s goal to regain the lead and send the crowd in raptures. A powerful driving free-kick from Mark van Bommel was plamed away by Babos and the return came in from young left-back Jetro Willems but again the goalkeeper could not hold. Lens anticipated this and pounced on the scraps to put PSV 3-2 ahead. Young substitute striker Jurgen Locadia put the final nail in NEC’s coffin five minutes into injury time after a scrappy ending to the match.
After the game head coach, Dick Advocaat confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season, his replacement is rumoured to be former club favourite Philip Cocu.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Nourdin Boukhari was sent for an early bath for two yellow cards for backchatting the referee
RKC Waalwijk 3 (Braber 3, Lieder 40, Duits 69P)
Vitesse Arnhem 2 (van der Heijden 47, Havenaar 68)
Vitesse crashed to a 3-2 away defeat to ten-man RKC Waalwijk which has pulled the hosts of relegation trouble. The visitors were shocked after just three minutes when they fell behind to Robert Braber goal after some terrible defending from Guram Kashia.
It did not look to be RKC’s day after 28 minutes when forward Nourdin Boukhari stupidly was shown two yellow cards for arguing with the officials. After a terrible miss from Vitesse’s Mike Havenaar just before the break, the home side found themselves two goals in-front. Mart Lieder showing Havenaar how to head a ball straight from a corner after the Arnhem striker had hit the post from five yards out moments earlier.
It looked like Fred Rutten had whipped his boys into shape at half-time as Jan-Arie van der Heijden slid home Wilfried Bony’s header to grab a goal back just two minutes into the second half. The forward line of Marco van Ginkel, Bony and Havenaar were looking bright and got on level terms on 68 minutes. Again, Bony with the assisting header onto Havenaar to finish.
Everyone watching would not have predicted what happened next, as Vitesse had the momentatum, RKC got the ball from the kick-off and attacked again. Florian Jozefzoon ran at the poor Kashia and the defender brought the attacker down to give RKC a spot kick. Sander Duits hit the penalty home and Fred Rutten substituted Kashia minutes later.
The game petered out and RKC are safe from the relegation playoffs as Vitesse will start next season playing UEFA Europa League football.
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Viktor Elm is congratulated by team-mates after putting AZ ahead
AZ warmed up for Thursday, KNVB Beker final against PSV in style with a 4-0 home win over PEC Zwolle.
Alkmaar started well and took the lead on 20 minutes, when Adam Maher whipped in a corner was headed home by Swedish midfielder Viktor Elm. It was 2-0 in the 39th minute with a Roy Beerens close range volley giving goalkeeper Diederik Boer no chance.
AZ continued to press after the break and added a third just past the hour with substitute Aron Johannsson netting and Adam Maher grabbed the final goal 77 minutes with Elm crossing to repay Maher for his earlier assist.
Despite the defeat, Zwolle will be happy with the season so far, sitting in 14th and they have survived their first year back in the Eredivisie. AZ now sit in the tenth and will hope that Heerenveen are defeated next weekend away to Roda, so they can qualify for the European playoffs. Alkmaar will need a win when they play away to relegated Willem II.
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A poor game in Venlo finished goal-less and VVV will enter the relegation playoffs
VVV Venlo 0
FC Groningen 0
A scoreless and toothless draw in Venlo as VVV enter the relegation playoffs with FC Groningen qualifying for the Europe League playoffs later this month. The Limburgers enter the relegation survival playoffs for the third season in a row as Groningen seemed to be already on their post season holidays.
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FC Utrecht pulled out all the stops on Sunday to win 4-2 away to Heerenveen
Heerenveen 2 (El Ghanassy 30, 80)
FC Utrecht 4 (Toornstra 34, Mulenga 61, Wuytens 67, van der Hoorn 86)
Utrecht defeated Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen side 4-2 to leave the visitors lingering in the uncertainty of reaching the UEFA Europa League next season. A win or a draw today would have confirmed the playoff place for the home side not even two goals from Yassine El Ghanassy could lead to the win they so desperately needed.
El Ghanassy put Heerenveen ahead after half an hour but Jens Toornstra equalised just four minutes later. On-fire Icelandic striker Alfred Finnbogason smashed a header off the crossbar before the break as Heerenveen pressed for the second goal. Utrecht then had a fire lit under them on the second-half and a quick-fire double in six minutes after the hour gave them a 3-1 advantage. Jacob Mulenga and Jan Wuytens with the Utrecht goals but El Ghannasy hit a second for the hosts to give them hope of a comeback.
But with just four minutes to go, Utrecht finished the game off with defender Mike van der Hoorn’s diving header sealing the win.
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Twente’s Nacer Chadli and Heracles defender Bart Schenkeveld tussle for the ball
Heracles 1 (Bruns 7)
FC Twente 1 (Fer 27)
Fifth-placed FC Twente came from behind to grab a point against Heracles in the ‘Derby of the East’ which spoiled the home side’s chances of European football next term.
Heracles started well and were ahead after 7 minutes gone, Thomas Bruns capitalised on poor defending from a Dragan Paljic through ball. Twente went in search of a goal, and after Luc Castaignos missing a good chance they finally did score, as creative midfielder Leroy Fer (rumoured to joining Everton in England’s Premier League) equalising on 27 minutes.
Both teams attacked looking the second goal in the second half with Everton coming the closest smashing an effort against the post and failing with the rebound. At the end of the game, the Brazilian striker was in tears as he left the pitch, as rumour has it that could be on his way in the summer after seven years at the club.
Heracles Almelo slip down to 11th with their chances of reaching the European play-offs slim, while FC Twente are overtaken in fifth by FC Utrecht.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Kees Luijckx of NAC is hunted by Roda’s Sanharib Malki
Roda joins VVV in the relegation playoffs after losing an eight-goal thriller away in Breda five goals to three. The visitors took a 3-1 lead with first-half goals from Frank Demouge and midfielder Roly Bonevacia (on-loan from Ajax) with former Ajax player Mitchell Donald netting a third just after half-time. NAC’s Brazilian defender Eric Botteghin scored in the 18th minute to level the scores at 1-1 but Breda were overwhelmed by Roda JC, then came the outstanding comeback orchestrated by the sensational Anthony Lurling.
Rick ten Voorde got the result back to 3-2 with a good effort just before the hour and Lurling grabbing his first of two beautiful goals minutes later with a wonderful strike. A 75th minute Elson Hooi goal put NAC in front before Lurling smashed home a spectacular long-range hit to claim all three points.
NAC Breda now are placed in mid-table obscurity with nothing to play for heading into the last week of fixtures with Roda having the worry of the relegation playoffs.
Victory for Ajax over Willem II this weekend would clinch their third consecutive title in a row while also condemning the Tilburg side to relegation down into the Jupiler League.
Frank de Boer’s side lost three crucial pieces in his championship-winning puzzle last summer with Jan Vertonghen and Vurnon Anita moving to England, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United respectively, and right-back Gregory van der Wiel joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. Due to this, rivals PSV Eindhoven (who strenghened in the window) were installed as favourites to take the shield.
However, heading into Week 33 fixtures, the title race looks over as Ajax lead second-placed PSV by four points. The unlikelihood of a Willem II win at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday would give PSV a glimmer of hope going into next week final set of fixtures. SC Cambuur last night clinched the Jupiler League title (full story here) and will replace Willem II if defeated by the title chasers.
Free-scoring PSV are in pole position to clinch the Champions League qualification spot but are level on points with third-placed Feyenoord while Vitesse Arnhem are only two points behind.
PSV host NEC Nijmegen and Feyenoord are also up against a mid-table side, ADO Den Haag while Vitesse have a tough fixture travelling to RKC Waalwijk, who are fighting for survival, only one place above the relegation play-off places.
Feyenoord are already guaranteed to be in the top four while Vitesse, who are six points ahead of fifth-placed FC Twente, only need one more point. FC Twente travel to Heracles Almelo this weekend with FC Utrecht and Heerenveen in sixth and seventh meeting each other.
FC Groningen, who visit second bottom VVV-Venlo, are the other side likely to contest the Europa League play-offs as they have a five-point advantage over Heracles, ADO and NEC.
At the bottom, Roda JC currently sit one point behind RKC and will hope to climb out of the bottom two with a win over NAC Breda while AZ Alkmaar meet PEC Zwolle.
The Europa League and relegation playoffs will begin 16th May.
After 13 years away from the Eredivisie, SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden will return next season to play the likes of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord after winning the Jupiler League title on Friday night.
SC Cambuur – Jupiler League champions 2012/13
The Friesland club defeated Excelsior 2-0 in Rotterdam as second-placed FC Volendam (previously on a seven-game winning streak) were defeated at Go Ahead Eagles to hand Henk de Jong’s side the Eerste Divisie shield.
It is only the second time that Cambuur have won the Jupiler League with the last coming in the 1992/93 season and it is the first time since 2000 that they will play in the top division.
Erik Bakker and Adnane Tighadouini were the guys who will go down in history as the goalscorers that clinched the title in the 2-0 win away to Excelsior.
FC Volendam missed out on securing their seventh Eerste Divisie shield and automatic promotion to the Eredivisie after falling to a 3-1 defeat away to Go Ahead Eagles. A double from Marnix Kolder and Jarchinio Antonia added a third after Brandley Kuwas had put Volendam in front.
Volendam will now enter the playoffs to travel to Maastrict to face MVV in the second round of the competition on 16th May, along with 3rd and 4th placed Sparta Rotterdam and Helmond Sport.
The first round of play-offs will begin on the May 8th with the first legs: FC Dordrecht (9th) vs. Go Ahead Eagles (6th) and De Graafschap (8th) vs. Fortuna Sittard (7th).
Jong Oranje coach Cor Pot has announced a strong provisional Netherlands squad for the 2013 UEFA Under-21 European Championships, which begins on 5th of June in Israel.
totaldutchfootball.com 