An 85th-minute diving header by Dirk Kuyt saw Feyenoord earn a 1-1 draw against Ajax in De Klassieker.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
Feyenoord went into the game five points ahead of their rivals and looking to cement themselves as the early season title favourites. In the early stages they took control and after Jens Toornstra and Nicolai Jorgensen had both had chances, Bilal Basacikoglu was presented a big opportunity after an error from Daley Sinkgraven, but the winger was thwarted by Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana who made an excellent save.
Just after the half-hour mark, Feyenoord were presented with another great chance after a Sinkgraven slip left them 2 on 2 in the attack, but when the ball fell to Dirk Kuyt outside the box the captain smashed his shot over the bar. At the other end, Ajax struggled to test Brad Jones with Amin Younes shooting wide and Hakim Ziyech sending a long-range effort over the bar.
Five minutes before the break, the best chance of the first half fell to the feet of an unmarked Eric Botteghin in the Ajax area, but the centre-back could only scoop his shot over the bar.
The second half started like the first with Feyenoord in control but with their first real opportunity of the game Ajax took the lead on 54 minutes with Kasper Dolberg lifting the ball over Jones after racing onto Hakim Ziyech’s pass. Moments later the two combined again but this time Dolberg’s effort went just wide.
Eljero Elia made his return from injury and played a part in Feyenoord’s equaliser as his cross on 85 minutes was met by the diving head of Kuyt and the ball flew past Onana and into the bottom corner. Both sides then pushed for a late winner but in the end had to settle for a point each.
The draw ends Feyenoord’s nine-game winning streak at the start of the season but they stay five points ahead of Ajax at the top of the table.
Great game. Both sides had their chances to win it and in the end a draw is fitting. Feyenoord maintains their 5 point lead and is reversing their performances vs PSV and AJAX from last season. Last year Feyenoord finished about 15 points off of the leaders while only earning 1 point out of the 4 games vs PSV and AJAX. So far this season Feyenoord has earned 4 points out of the first 2 games. Now on to the cup game on Thursday!
With the missed opportunities of Bilal, Kuyt and Botteghin we should have been 3-0 before half time.. incredibly disappointed not to take the three points. I felt we were the more dominant team in both halves and should have done more with the chances given. Breaks my heart that regardless of how strong we’re playing we can’t seem to beat Ajax even in a sold out Kuip with no away stand.