We pick our team of the week from round 19 of the Eredivisie with the league returning after its winter break.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Round 19 saw Ajax all but end PSV’s title challenge with a slim 1-0 win, while NEC claimed a crucial win over ADO Den Haag to lift them off the bottom. There were wins for AZ, Cambuur, Feyenoord, and Twente, while Groningen drew with RKC, and Roda JC held Heerenveen.
Our team of the week is:
Goalkeeper: Remko Pasveer (Heracles)
Heracles may have been beaten 3-1 by Twente in their local derby, but Pasveer deserves a lot of credit for the way he kept the score respectable for the Almelo club. Twente could have ran rampant and only a number of fine stops by Pasveer prevented a routing.
Right Back: Marnick Vermijl (NEC Nijmegen)
He may have given away a silly penalty, but Vermijl made up for it by netting a great goal, and putting in a great all round performance. Always looking to get forward, the on loan defender was the shining light for NEC as they climbed off the bottom.
Left Back: Nicolai Boilesen (Ajax)
Boilesen was given the task of keeping PSV new boy Bryan Ruiz quiet, and the Ajax man accomplished this task with ease. Boilesen also looked to get forward when his team were being pushed back in the first half. Great performance by the Dane.
Centre Back: Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord)
Netted a great goal in Feyenoord’s hammering of Utrecht, whilst keeping Utrecht forward Steve de Ridder quiet throughout the game. Won 100% of his aerial battles in a dominant defensive display.
Centre Back: Jan Wuytens (AZ Alkmaar)
AZ strolled to a 3-0 win over NAC Breda on Saturday, with Wuytens largely untroubled at the back. It was going forward that Wuytens impressed, as he popped up in dangerous areas time after time, and came close to scoring with two long range efforts.
Midfielder: Daley Blind (Ajax)
Ajax’s midfield battler was once again on top form as they scraped past PSV 1-0 on Sunday. After a difficult first half, Ajax took control in the second, and part of that was down to the excellent midfield play of Blind. Seems to always be in the right place at the right time.
Midfielder: Dusan Tadic (Twente)
Tadic was hugely influential in Twente’s 3-1 win over Heracles, scoring a penalty whilst also adding an assist. The midfielder could have added another goal if not for the woodwork.
Midfielder: Hakim Ziyech (Heerenveen)
Another week another brilliant display from Ziyech, who opened the scoring with a brilliant solo goal, and looked the best player on the pitch throughout the draw with Roda JC. With his contract up in the summer, Heerenveen have a tough task of keeping the youngster if he keeps playing like this.
Attacker: Steve Berghuis (AZ Alkmaar)
AZ winger scored two of the three goals in the victory over NAC Breda. His first effort was a great strike with his left foot after cutting in from the right. One of Berghuis’s finest performances in an AZ shirt.
Attacker: Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord)
Often outshined by Fellow Feyenoord attacker Jean Paul Boetius, Schaken was king of the wing on Sunday as he netted twice in the 5-2 victory over Utrecht.
Attacker: Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord)
Had a quiet opening to the game with Utrecht but then popped up to score a stunning back heel goal, and could have netted a hat-trick if not for two brilliant saves by Robbin Ruiter.