Full review of all the action from round 25 of the Eredivisie which was full of talking points.
- By Leo Walker
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In round 25, known as the “last minute” round, Ajax took a giant leap in their quest to win four successive Eredivisie titles for the first time in their history when inflicting a comfortable 4-0 defeat on AZ Alkmaar. The only sour point in the match was early on when Viktor Fischer was replaced by De Sa following a hamstring injury that he picked up. Siem de Jong has come under scrutiny since his return from injury as he has certainly not been playing at his best but a fine strike on 4 minutes set Ajax on their way. Lenin Duarte doubled the lead early into the second half before half time substitute and promising youngster Ricardo Kishna scored a fine strike to put the game to bed. Lenin Duarte scored his second of the game to well and truly put the game to bed and Ajax fans quickly forgot about the horror show on Thursday.
Their titles rivals FC Twente and Feyenoord concluded the weekends action on Sunday in what was a feisty affair on and off the pitch at the Grolsch Veste Stadion. The visitors took a 2 goal lead thanks to Graziano Pellè and Jean-Paul Boetius. Former Feyenoord striker Luc Castaignos responded for the hosts before a last gasp equaliser with just 20 seconds remaining ensured the spoils were shared. Graziano Pellè showed his frustration at the failure of Feyenoord to hold on for the 3pts by damaging the dugout and insides of the tunnel when the whistle was blown whilst fans from both clubs clashed after the game. FC Twente are 6 points off the leaders, Ajax, whilst Feyenoord find themselves 9 points off the pace in 4th with the De Klassieker due to take place next week.
Vitesse ended their five game winless drought to move into third but they were made to work hard for it at home to RKC Waalwijk. It was the visitors who took a shock lead they held on to lead at the break. However within minutes of the restart Vitesse had scored two goals to lead before the game ending third goal on 68 minutes. The result leaves Vitesse in third whilst RKC Waalwijk drop into the bottom three.
Ajax have taken full advantage of their rivals mishaps in recent weeks and so have PSV as they are creeping up on the top four, sitting just four points away from Feyenoord. This is following their 2-0 victory on Saturday away at NEC Nijmegen which extended their winning run to four games. The result sees NEC drop to 17th just two points above the automatic relegation spot held by Roda JC.
Jon Dahl Tomasson has his work cut out with Roda JC as they suffered their fifth successive defeat in dramatic style to. They travelled to the difficult home of SC Cambuur and looked to be grabbing a point, though with four minutes remaining they were reduced to ten men, and two minutes later they had just 9 men on the pitch. With a minute remaining Roda paid the ultimate price for the lack of on pitch discipline as SC Cambuur scored a vital winner. A winner which sees the promoted side rise in the league to 12th and leap frog the other promoted side of the Go Ahead Eagles who drop to 14th following their 3-2 defeat away at ADO Den Haag on Friday evening. The vital victory for Henk Frasers side who are undefeated in their last three games since he took charge has seen them rise out of the bottom three.
On Sunday there was a further vital victory towards the foot of the table when Jan Wouter’s FC Utrecht side scored with two minutes to go to defeat FC Groningen 1-0. FC Utrecht, winless in their last 8 games, had dropped considerably down the league due to their poor form and the late winner was celebrated wildly by all. Steve de Ridder had earlier missed a penalty for FC Utrecht but his blushes were spared with the last minute winner.
Heracles on Saturday evening travelled to PEC Zwolle and looked on course to record their 3rd victory of 2014 and their 9th of the season, but the hosts and Furdjel Narsingh had other ideas. A further last minute goal in round 25 though ensured the game would end stalemate at 1-1 between the two mid table sides. In a low scoring round of the Eredivisie this weekend, SC Heerenveen and NAC Breda kick started the action on Saturday in what was a dismal 0-0 draw. The only entertainment of the 90 minutes was the stadium lights going out just before half time.
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