In December 2012, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) granted Fox International Channels’ (FIC) an acquisition of a 51% stake in the Eredivisie Media and Marketing (EMM), the media and commercial arm of the country’s top league. Today, the amount of money that is to be shared out to all 18 teams was revealed.
The initial deal between EMM and the broadcast subsidiary of News Corporation was struck last August for a reported €1 billion. EMM owns media rights to the Eredivisie and controls the Eredivisie Live pay-per-view television channel. Fox will pay the €1 billion over the 12 years encompassing the 2013-14 to 2024-25 Dutch football seasons, with NMa board member Henk Don stating the deal guarantees a payment of €80 million a year to clubs in the Eredivisie through 2025. EMM was established in 2008 through a partnership between the Eredivisie clubs and media and production company Endemol.
The agreement saw Raymond van der Vliet, managing director of FIC in the Benelux region, join the management of EMM. Speaking in December he stated: “Together we will first examine the optimal exploitation of all possible media rights of Eredivisie clubs to give football fans an even better experience. We have a healthy ambition and will also explore the creation of an additional TV channel. We are looking forward to making a positive contribution to the exciting and attractive Eredivisie in the Netherlands.”
Now due to this new investment in the league, the Dutch media had wondered how this new wealth would be divided between the 18 clubs of the Dutch top flight. A decision was made by the investors that the money to shared out on average positions in the league for the last ten years. Whoever finished highest on average would be awarded the biggest fee. The chart below shows the figures for the upcoming 2013/14 season with champions Ajax receiving the most funds topping nearly €8 million.
Last seasons Eredivisie runners-up PSV Eindhoven are set to gain just over €7 million. Around €1.5 million is set to be received at the inexperienced newly promoted teams like Cambuur, Go Ahead Eagles and PEC Zwolle.
As you can see in the table below this deal seems to be a case of making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer.
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.”
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.
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!
—–
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
—–
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
—–
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
—–
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.
—–
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.
—–
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.
—–
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.
—–
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
—–
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.
Today, Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen announced that Serbian playmaker Filip Djuricic will join Portuguese giants Benfica on July 1st when the European transfer window opens. He will be joined in Portugal by fellow Serbian Miralem Sulejmani (formerly of Heerenveen) whom will join from Ajax on a free transfer.
Twenty-one year old Djuricic, had attracted interest from big clubs in Holland, but the Portuguese side has beaten them all for the midfielder’s signature. The transfer fee have not been disclosed at this time, but the deal has been confirmed on Heerenveen’s official website and it is understood that both players have signed five-year contracts.
Technical director Johan Hansma released a statement on the club’s official website: “It’s good for our club that Djuricic is leaving for a big European side. As football fans we regret the departure of Filip, because he gave us a lot of wonderful moments but Filip is ready for his next step in his career and we wish him all the best.”
Waving goodbye to Ajax – Miralem Sulejmani
Sulejmani, 24, has been a bit of an outcast at Ajax, the Amsterdammers had paid €16.25 million to Heerenveen for him, breaking the Dutch transfer-record in July of 2008, but he will leave the club on a free. The attacker has made a total of 158 appearances for Ajax, and has 38 goals to his name.
The partnership would see players from the Red Devils loaned to Ajax to gain great experience from first team football and although a plethora of transfers would be unlikely, with Ajax only likely to loan in areas they are in need of strengthening, it could potentially give Manchester United’s youth players a fantastic chance to experience a different footballing culture. The deal seems to be quite a simple one; United will send some of their best young and fringe players on loan to Ajax and in return they could have first refusal over some of the players linked with moves away from the Dutch club.
In an interview with Voetbal International, Frank de Boer said: “If Manchester United talent would prefer to gain experience with Ajax than in the lower divisions in England, then it can be a very interesting option.”
De Boer’s quotes come less than a week after Manchester United Dutch first-team coach Rene Meulensteen admitted to newspaper AD that loaning out the younger players would be a good idea with former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar playing a big role in getting the partnership started. “For our younger players it would be a good idea, rather play at Ajax than in the Championship, I’ll keep Edwin informed.”.
Now that Edwin van der Sar is working as the sporting director at Ajax, the move could prove extremely useful for both sides with the ex-United legend likely to play a key role if the partnership materialises.
Edwin van de Sar now Ajax’s Sporting Director
This season, Ajax have had Barcelona’s highly-rated winger Issac Cuenca on loan with the club and despite his problems with injuries, De Boer is hopeful that the player will go back to Spain with ‘enthusiastic stories’. Barcelona are expected to have a long standing loan partnership with Ajax due to the link that Director of Football Marc Overmars provides, so the loan deal for Cuenca is likely to be the first of many.
Given Ajax’s globally renowned talent at creating and nurturing some of the worlds most gifted players including Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff, Patrick Kluverit, Edgar Davids, Marco van Basten and Wesley Sneijder, a move would be a great experience for any United youngsters and likely extremely beneficial.
If this deal does come off, and Manchester United do get first refusal on Ajax’s stars then I’m sure that Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen, Viktor Fischer and many more who could all make the 20-time champions a much stronger squad and a much stronger proposition to their rivals.
Ajax are not going to turn into a feeder club because they are under no obligation to sell players to United who don’t wish to move. The Eredivisie is a greatly underrated league in the context of European football and it allows United to get a stronger hold in terms of their scouting network in the Netherlands. It also potentially cuts off the supply line to their main rivals.
Ajax have revealed on their official website that young left-back Daley Blind has signed a new deal with the club. The defender’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current season, which led to speculations linking the 23-year-old with a summer exit abroad.
However, the lengthy negotiations have finally produced results as Blind opted to sign a new three-year contract with the Amsterdammers.
The son of Ajax legend Danny Blind has come through the youth ranks at Amsterdam Arena and, as of time of writing, made 63 Eredivisie appearances for the club, including 31 this season. Blind was recently called up for his international debut by Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal and has so far earned three Oranje caps. He made his debut for the Amsterdam club in December 2008 and has gone on to win two Eredivisie titles.
Blind also has two goals in the 31 league fixtures for Ajax this season, having made the left-back position his own. Blind has now been rewarded with a new three-year contract that should keep him at the club until June 2016.
“We have an agreement and everyone is very satisfied. Daley will play the next three years with Ajax,” director of football Marc Overmars told the club’s official website. “All doubts disappeared. Daley is a full international and at Ajax we hope this will continue.”
Frank de Boer has announced that he has decided to stay on as head coach of Ajax Amsterdam.
De Boer was quoted as talking to Amsterdam Tv channel AT5 and stated “I will still be with Ajax next year, if they should decide to keep me.”
Ajax have been keen to discuss a new contract with De Boer and wish to extend their deal together until summer 2014. The former Dutch international is now in his third season as head coach of the Amsterdam club.
Marc Overmars, Sporting Director at Ajax spoke to Dutch newspaper AD: “We wish to look to bring new players into the club but not before we negotiate a new deal with Frank. We have already expressed that intent and Frank knows that. Obviously his is the most important deal for us.”
The announcement that De Boer is staying comes just three days after the British press had suggested that De Boer had welcomed reports linking him to Manchester City.
De Boer has led Ajax to two Eredivisie titles since taking charge of the club in 2010, and has been touted as a potential successor to Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium. However, although he has indicated an interest in leading City, De Boer does not appear to be ready to move away from the Netherlands.
“Manchester City would be something I want to do, yes, but it is difficult for me to move my family abroad at the moment and I have to consider others, not just myself.”
Ajax director Marc Overmars added this past weekend talking to ESPN “Am I worried? Not for losing Frank now, but City will be a big competitor for his signature in the near future.”
It is no surprise to many following the game in the Netherlands that AZ attacking midfielder Adam Maher is perhaps most coveted Dutch footballer at the moment.
Earlier this year in the January transfer window, English Premier League clubs knocked on the door of AZ Alkmaar, and now as the season ends and clubs around Europe await the opening of a new window, the English superpowers are ready to rumble throughout the summer for the Ducth international.
The Morrocan-born Oranje star is wanted by Eredivisie giants PSV and Ajax but the top clubs from the Premier League are in the market and they very well may tempt the playmaker to head to the British Isles.
British newspaper The Mirror have reported that Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are some clubs that Maher would like to attract.
In AZ, they are only too well aware of the foreign interest. On Maher, as what happens with many young Dutch talents an excessively high price tag has been slapped on so that AZ can make some major profit. It is rumoured that interested clubs can tempt AZ to sell him for around £15.4m, which is approximately equivalent to €18m.
But which club is the preference for Maher? Maher himself does not except anything to happen and says to he will wait until the summer. “I look to see which clubs are interested but nothing will be discussed until the summer. “
But as friend of the site, Scottish-based Dutch football expert Peter McVitie added, Maher has said over and over that he wishes to stay in Holland: ‘He has maintained since January that he wants to stay in Eredivisie and, since February, he has made clear that he wants to join one of Ajax or PSV in the summer. He lives in Amsterdam and has praised Ajax several times in recent weeks and he has actually said that he has an idea which club he would prefer to join.’
For Maher, who would like to leave with his ailing club, it is hoped that when he does leave this summer, AZ make as much as they can so they use the funds to be a force in the Eredivisie again.
Ajax have one hand on their third consecutive Eredivisie title after they defeated rivals PSV 3-2 at the Phillips Stadion on Sunday afternoon. Feyenoord dropped out of the race as they were held to a disappointing draw at RKC Waalwijk.
Willem II players look dejected after the late 3-2 defeat at Heerenveen
Marco van Basten’s side will be thanking his lucky stars and Alfreð Finnbogason after his late penalty gave Heerenveen all three points when it looked like they had gave them away. The bottom side, Willem II now look resigned to relegation when glancing at the league table but they did take the lead at Abe Lenstra Stadion.
After just 12 minutes, Willem found themselves ahead. 21 year old midfielder Ricardo Ippel grabbed a rebound from a free-kick and volleyed first time, beneath the crossbar which keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt should have done better with. The break came and Heerenveen were lucky just to be the solitary goal down but they arrived back out a different beast. This showed on 53 minutes as Belgian winger Yassine El Ghanassy calmly finishing from the back post after receiving a Patrick van Aanholt cross. Two minutes later, Heerenveen had competed the turnaround. Icelandic striker Finnbogason grabbed his 22nd in the league this season with an easy tap in. Some sloppy defending by the home side let Tim Cornelisse thread the ball through to Luxembourg striker Aurélien Joachim to grab a 80th minute leveller. The Tilburgers did not hold out to the point for long as captain Philipp Haastrup got caught guilty of hand ball. Taking his tally up to 23 for the league season, Finnbogason placed the penalty home and clinched the win.
————
Jozy Altidore (centre) grabbed a hat-trick in AZ’s 6-0 win
AZ Alkmaar 6 (Altidore 28P, 34P, 37, van der Hoorn 45+1OG, Henriksen 61, Jóhannsson 90)
FC Utrecht 0
AZ’s relegation worries were eased after a huge 6-0 win over nine-man Utrecht which included a first-half hat-trick from American international striker Jozy Altidore. Utrecht would have felt their were fighting a losing battle when they had Anouar Kali and Jan Wuytens both sent off before Altidore put AZ 2-0 up after 34 minutes. Kali was sent off for a second yellow after conceding the penalty with a foul on Altidore in the 27th minute, this was the 1500th red card in the league.
To make matters worse for Utrecht, before the second penalty, first choice goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter had to be replaced due to injury and Jeroen Verhoeven found himself beaten five times before the final whistle.
————
Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman disappointed with his team’s display today
RKC Waalwijk 1 (Duits 55)
Feyenoord 1 (Pelle 13P)
Feyenoord let their title hopes slip through their fingers after only achieving a draw away to RKC. Feyenoord started well and went ahead with Italian forward Graziano Pelle hiting a penalty home for his 23rd of the season.
In the 55th minute, RKC drew level with an individual effort from Sander Duits that shattered Feyenoord hearts and their title dreams.
Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman stated he was “deeply disappointed in his team” in an TV interview afterwards.
————
Christian Eriksen wheels away after putting Ajax 2-1 up
Ajax look set to be champions again after defeating PSV 3-2 and now have a five point gap between themselves and second place Vitesse. It was the visitors that took the lead with striker Kolbein Sigthorsson jumping onto a mis-kicked Mark van Bommel ball just after half an hour gone. Ajax maybe should have had a chance to extend the lead with a penalty when young Danish striker Viktor Fischer was grabbed by Van Bommel just inside the box but nothing was given.
Ajax must have been hoping to take the lead in at half time, but this was not to be. Sloppy play by Christian Eriksen in his own half let Georginio Wijnaldum steal in and knock the ball onto Kevin Strootman. Strootman kept his cool, one on one with Jasper Cillessen and slided the ball through to the unmarked Jermaine Lens to finish.
PSV started the brighter at the start of the second half but it was Ajax to hit them on the counter attack and go 2-1 up. It was Christian Eriksen who made up for his first half error on 50 minutes with a wonderful solo effort that he smashed home at Boy Waterman’s front post. PSV pressed as Ajax sat back and defended their lead. On 67 minutes, PSV were back level. The impressive Dries Mertens’ whipping free-kick rattled off the post and Lens was there again to poke home with a well-controlled finish inside the post.
Ajax were furious just a minute later, when they should have definitely been awarded a penalty kick this time. Midfielder Lasse Schone sped past Jetro Willems and the young left-back brought the Dane down in the box, referee Björn Kuipers waved claims away. PSV replaced Willems with Erik Pieters and Ajax switched Christian Poulsen for Derk Boerrigter and on 76 minutes, both were involved in the fifth goal of the match. With his first touch of the game, Boerrigter pounced on a terrible mix-up between goalkeeper Waterman and Pieters to regain the lead.
PSV will need Ajax to drop two games to get back in the title race but with only four games left in the league season, it certainly looks like the title will be heading to Amsterdam again.
Ajax have revealed on their official website that young left-back Daley Blind has signed a new deal with the club. The defender’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current season, which led to speculations linking the 23-year-old with a summer exit abroad.
Ajax have one hand on their third consecutive Eredivisie title after they defeated rivals PSV 3-2 at the Phillips Stadion on Sunday afternoon. Feyenoord dropped out of the race as they were held to a disappointing draw at RKC Waalwijk.
totaldutchfootball.com 