Feyenoord clung onto a 1-1 draw with Groningen despite being reduced to ten men early in the second half.
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The PSV draw on Saturday and Ajax’s slip up at Utrecht had given Feyenoord an excellent opportunity to put themselves joint top of the Eredivisie. However Groningen had other ideas on Sunday and after a bright opening 25 minutes they had the lead with Michael de Leeuw netting on the rebound after Hedwiges Maduro struck the post with a header.
Feyenoord were lucky to go into the break only one down, but five minutes into the second half they were level as Dirk Kuyt beat Hans Hateboer to Jens Toornstra’s cross to net.
Two minutes after the equaliser any Feyenoord momentum was taken away when Jan-Arie van der Heijden brought down Jesper Drost, who was through on goal and the defender was shown a red card.
Kenneth Vermeer was tested several times by the Groningen attack, but the home side could not find the lead, while they were furious when the referee failed to give a penalty for a handball by Miquel Nelom. Before the end it was Feyenoord who could have snatched all three points, but with the goal in his sights Tonny Vilhena couldn’t beat Sergio Padt.
The point means Feyenoord move closer to Ajax at the top of the table, while Groningen stay fifth.
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man…. Blew a golden chance to be tied for first. yes we were missing some key pieces-Bottingha and Gus and then van der heiden gets a red…. But still should have gotten the 3 points. All that being said we did get 1 point closer to the top. Lets win the cup this week and win next weekend so we all can enjoy the holidays! Plus a little holiday shopping! Fer……Please come home!