In a weekend with two different storms, eight games were played in the Eredivisie. Only the relegation thriller between Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam was postponed, as Friday’s weather conditions were deemed not safe enough for the match to go ahead.
Ajax grab late winner in Tilburg
It turned out that the pouring rain and strong winds were not best-suited to Ajax’s free-flowing style of play. From the outset of their match against Willem II, it was clear that their usual game plan would require some adjustment, particularly as the pitch in Tillburg took on more water. It was the hosts that created the first chance of the match, but Hornkamp messed up his chance from around 12 yards out.
The league’s top scorer, Sebastian Haller was unable to find the net in the first half, and Timber missed a headed chance to take the lead just before half-time.
A goalless half went by and nerves never really looked to have set in for Ajax until Tadic’s goal was chalked off by VAR, and Klassen missed an open goal. Haller followed up with a header that rattled the post and it looked to be one of those days for the league leaders. But on 81 minutes, Timber popped up with the deciding goal to give Ajax all three points – continuing their incredible run of form.
No changes in battle for second
The storm didn’t let up on Sunday and the teams in second and third both travelled to Friesland.
PSV faced Heerenveen – reeling from their losses of Joey Veerman and Henk and their six-game consecutive losing record. In fact, Veerman returned to his old club with his new one. Madueke opening the scoring with a strike that nestled into the top right corner. Heerenveen then grew into the game, playing better football and keeping PSV very quiet. Their equaliser came just after the half-hour mark; Halilovic’s deflected shot leaving Drommel no chance in the PSV goal.
The second half brought renewed vigour for PSV, who continued to press and dominate the ball – scoring two early goals in the process to make it 3-1. Mario Gotze struck first, before Veerman scored against his former team to rub salt in the wounds. Despite Madueke leaving the field with injury, PSV held out confidently and secured a convincing win.
Feyenoord have never dropped any points at home to Cambuur. But that record looked to have been under threat when after just 17 minutes Cambuur broke the deadlock to make it 1-0. Boere’s winning-back of the ball allowed him to make a simple pass to Trauner, who finished neatly in the bottom right corner.
Their lead was short-lived though, as Feyenoord responded with a beautifully finished goal from Sinisterra – finding the top right corner from around 25 yards out. They added a second to make it 2-1 just before half-time.
Jahanbakhsh made it 3-1 just five minutes into the second half, all-but-sealing the three points for Feyenoord. The second half would be merely a formality.
Best of the rest & a look at the table…
Fourth-placed AZ continued their winning form, beating Heracles 2-1 at home. The have now won 14 of their last 15 games and face third-placed Feyenoord in a big encounter next weekend.
Vitesse were fortuned to gain a point from nothing against Utrecht. They were down to 10 men after 60 minutes – Grbic receiving a red card for an elbow. They salvaged a draw right at the death, Doekhi scoring in the 91st minute.
Twente and GA Eagles played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Twente’s Brenet grabbing an 89th minute equaliser for the home side. The goal painfully prevented Eagles from gaining their first win in the Eredivisie since November 27th. They remain in contention for the relegation zone, but nevertheless outside it, in 14th.
23/34 ✅️ pic.twitter.com/hqrhcGkpqF
— Eredivisie (@eredivisie) February 20, 2022
