Drab defeat for Fumbling Feyenoord in Klassieker
Feyenoord fell to a disappointing loss at home to Ajax on Sunday. The visitors proved too strong for Dick Advocaat’s side, running out 3-0 winners. They were helped on their way by two own goals, while Feyenoord also missed a penalty. Both sides ended the match a man short after two red cards were brandished.
The empty stands and Ajax’s status as freshly crowned Eredivisie champions meant the Klassieker lacked its usual gloss. Feyenoord tried to give their remote fans cause for cheer in the first half, but lacked the penetration against an unbending Ajax defence.
The biggest chance to break the deadline came right at the end of the first forty-five. A melee in the visitors’ box caused confusion and Edson Alvarez ended up blocking an incoming effort with his arm. It earned him a red card and Feyenoord a penalty. Leroy Fer stepped up, but saw his strike saved.
It meant that Ajax went in at the break a man down but a goal up. It had come in the twentieth minute when an attempted clearance ricocheted off Marcos Senesi’s shins and into the net.
Things got worse after the break, as Feyenoord handed their opponents another gift. Substitute Ridgeciano Haps prodded a Dusan Tadic cross into his own goal to double the away team’s lead.
The second own goal sucked the life out of the hosts. Not least because Advocaat’s side were by then down a man themselves, after Tyrell Malacia was shown a second yellow card.
It was a milestone for Danny Makkelie, who became the first referee ever to send off a player from each side in an Eredivisie Klassieker.
Even without this stat, the game was one every Feyenoorder will want to forget. Not least because Mohamed Kudus made it three late in the game. The defeat leaves Feyenoord still five points behind fourth placed Vitesse with two matches to play and looking for a small miracle to help them avoid the playoffs.
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