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Feyenoord lose ground on PSV and Ajax

Xinhua, January 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

The race for the Dutch championship is shaking up to be a two-club-battle between Ajax and PSV, with Feyenoord slumping to another defeat on Sunday against AZ in Alkmaar (4-2).

Michiel Kramer gave Feyenoord the lead after 12 minutes after a failed attempt to clear by AZ defender Ridgeciano Haps. Markus Henriksen equalized and AZ striker Vincent Janssen, who had played for Feyenoord in his youth years, produced the following three goals.

Tonny Vilhena made it 4-2 with a long-distance shot, but the visitors were not able to come closer. Feyenoord suffered their third defeat in a row, following the losses against NEC and PSV.

Reigning champions PSV beat FC Twente 4-2 in Eindhoven. Jari Oosterwijk surprisingly put Twente in front, but before half-time PSV bounced back through two goals by Hector Moreno and one by Luciano Narsingh. Three times Andres Guardado gave the assist.

In the second half Ede put one back on behalf of Twente to close the margin to one, but substitute Florian Jozefzoon secured the victory 10 minutes from time. Dutch international Jetro Willems returned for PSV from a six-month absence due to a knee injury.

League leaders Ajax needed only 26 seconds to open the scoring at home against fourth ranked Vitesse on Saturday (1-0). After goalkeeper Eloy Room misjudged a cross from left-back Mitchell Dijks it was Riechedly Bazoer who tipped in.

The early goal was the highlight of the match, with Ajax leaning back and Vitesse failing to create opportunities. Ajax claimed their 15th victory of the season and for the 11th team coach Frank de Boer's team kept a clean-sheet.

Also on Saturday Heracles Almelo booked a narrow win against bottom side De Graafschap (2-1), while NEC Nijmegen drew 0-0 at FC Groningen on Friday.

Ajax maintained the lead in the Eredivisie with 47 points after 19 matches. Main rivals PSV are three points behind and Feyenoord now have a deficit of already eleven points. Enditem