We pick our team of the week from round 31 of the Eredivisie which saw Heerenveen and ADO Den Haag record big wins.
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Ajax failed to win the Eredivisie title after a 1-1 draw against Vitesse, coupled with Feyenoord’s 2-0 win over RKC saw their lead cut to six points. Twente remain in the race for 2nd after beating NAC 2-0, but PSV suffered a blow as they were hammered 3-0 by Heerenveen. Roda JC clung to live in the Eredivisie after a 2-2 draw with AZ, while Groningen beat PEC Zwolle, and Go Ahead saw off Heracles. ADO Den Haag hammered Utrecht 4-1, and NEC drew 1-1 with Cambuur.
Our team of the week is:
Goalkeeper: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax)
Vitesse outplayed Ajax in the first half of their 1-1 draw, and if it wasn’t for a number of saves from Cillessen it could have been 3 or 4-0 at the break instead of 1-0. Cillessen denied Atsu with his feet before stopping Zakaria Labyad, and all in front of the watching Louis van Gaal. If Cillessen keeps up this form then he is almost certain to be Netherlands no1 at the World Cup.
Defender Joost van Aken (Heerenveen)
The young left back was making his first start for Van Basten’s side in the 3-0 win over PSV, and hardly put a foot wrong throughout the game. Coming up against the tricky Bryan Ruiz and Santiago Arias, Van Aken made more tackles during the game than any other player. Crucial player in the win.
Defender: Christian Kum (Heerenveen)
The centre back hardly gave PSV striker Jurgen Locadia a sniff of goal during the 3-0 win on Saturday. A commanding performance from Kum.
Defender: Guram Kashia (Vitesse)
Kashia was excellent at the back for Vitesse in their 1-1 draw with Ajax. He was not only great in defence, he also set up Bertrand Traore to open the scoring and hit the woodwork.
Defender: Eric Botteghin (Groningen)
Botteghin’s header may have sealed a 1-0 win for Groningen on Friday, but the defender also kept PEC Zwolle at bay at the back with a solid defensive display.
Midfielder: Pele van Aanholt (Heerenveen)
In Heerenveen’s win over PSV Pele van Aanholt was great in the centre of the park, and stopped the likes of Adam Maher, and Park Ji Sung from controlling the game. The midfielder ended with an assist in a eye catching performance.
Midfielder: Felipe Gutierrez (Twente)
Gutierrez was the catalyst behind Twente’s 2-0 win over NAC Breda. He may have opened the scoring, but Gutierrez also made more successful tackles than anyone on the pitch, and took the most shots. His all round game was perfect.
Midfielder: Deniz Turuc (Go Ahead Eagles)
Turuc was without a doubt the man of the match during Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 win over Heracles on Saturday, netting the equaliser in the second half, while commanding the midfield with a number of crucial tackles, more than any other player.
Attacker: Guus Hupperts (Roda JC)
Cometh the hour cometh the man as Guus Hupperts saved his side in the 2-2 draw with AZ Alkmaar by scoring the equaliser with a lovely shot into the corner. Hupperts was a constant threat to the AZ defence in another great display.
Attacker: Mike van Duinen (ADO Den Haag)
Van Duinen was everywhere in ADO’s big win over Utrecht on Sunday, not only netting with a nice finish, but the striker also ended the game with an assist. Van Duinen never stopped running in an excellent performance.
Attacker: Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord)
The Italian striker returned to the Feyenoord starting line up after a four match ban, and inevitably stole the show as he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over NAC. Firstly finishing calmly after running onto a through ball, and then scoring a trademark header from around the penalty spot.