Victory snatched away at the death
Thursday evening’s Europa Conference League quarterfinal first leg proved to be one of mixed feelings for Feyenoord. Slavia Prague looked to have beaten in a rocking atmosphere at De Kuip, but an equaliser deep into time added on meant the match ended 3-3.
Though the end did not go to plan, the hosts had started brightly. Luis Sinisterra opened the scoring within 10 minutes, slipping inside before stroking the ball into the goal at the near post with his right foot. Feyenoord were unable to build on their lead, however, and the next goal fell to the visitors. Peter Olayinka seemed to score from an offside position, but the goal stood and the sides went in level at halftime.
Ding-dong
The circumstances of that equaliser led to simmering tempers, which came to the boil after the referee whistled for halftime. Some pushing and shoving earned Feyenoord keeper Ofir Marciano and Slavia goalscorer Olayinka yellow cards, while home assistant coach Marino Pusic was shown red. Arne Slot tried to calm the situation at the break and get his men back on track, but Slavia struck first in the second half, which started slowly. Yira Sor left Marciano with no chance.
Captain Marcos Senesi got Feyenoord level again, albeit with some fortune. With around 15 minutes to go he scrambled to convert a Cyriel Dessers cross. The comeback appeared to have been completed on 86 minutes, when Orkun Kökcü netted straight from a free kick, but Ibrahim Traoré’s 95th minute equaliser dampened the atmosphere.
Return
It means that Feyenoord and Slavia Prague will have everything to play for when they reconvene for the second leg next Thursday. The sides kick off in the Czech capital at 21:00 CET. Before then, Feyenoord have a trip to Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie on Sunday. That one kicks off at 16:45 CET.
Ding-dong
The circumstances of that equaliser led to simmering tempers, which came to the boil after the referee whistled for halftime. Some pushing and shoving earned Feyenoord keeper Ofir Marciano and Slavia goalscorer Olayinka yellow cards, while home assistant coach Marino Pusic was shown red. Arne Slot tried to calm the situation at the break and get his men back on track, but Slavia struck first in the second half, which started slowly. Yira Sor left Marciano with no chance.
Captain Marcos Senesi got Feyenoord level again, albeit with some fortune. With around 15 minutes to go he scrambled to convert a Cyriel Dessers cross. The comeback appeared to have been completed on 86 minutes, when Orkun Kökcü netted straight from a free kick, but Ibrahim Traoré’s 95th minute equaliser dampened the atmosphere.
Return
It means that Feyenoord and Slavia Prague will have everything to play for when they reconvene for the second leg next Thursday. The sides kick off in the Czech capital at 21:00 CET. Before then, Feyenoord have a trip to Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie on Sunday. That one kicks off at 16:45 CET.
- Feyenoord 1
- Luis Sinisterra
- Marcos Senesi
- Orkun Kökcü