PSV and Ajax win, Feyenoord deeper in crisis
Xinhua, February 15, 2016 Adjust font size:
While PSV and Ajax continued their winning run, Feyenoord slumped to another defeat in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday.
Reigning champions PSV had no problems with NEC in Nijmegen (0-3). Luuk de Jong headed in a cross by Jetro Willems to give the visitors the lead in the 15th minute and in the second half Jurgen Locadia and Marco van Ginkel added the second and third goals.
Ajax beat FC Groningen 2-1 in Groningen. With Mike van der Hoorn and Nick Viergever as new central defending duo, instead of injured Kenny Tete and Jairo Riedewald, and without coach Frank de Boer, who was absent due to illness, Ajax were not able to impress.
In the second half, Ajax gained more control and came in front through Anwar El Ghazi. The striker netted from close range.
After Hans Hateboer brought down Amin Younes in the penalty area, Ajax received a penalty, which was converted by Lasse Schone. Ajax finished the match with ten due to a second yellow card for Van der Hoorn and former Ajax player Danny Hoesen produced Groningen's consolation goal from a free-kick in injury time.
Also on Sunday, Feyenoord had their 7th consecutive defeat by losing 3-1 at PEC Zwolle. Lars Veldwijk opened the scoring in the 15th minute, Sven van Beek equalized four minutes from half-time, but in the second half, Veldwijk and Kingsley Ehizibue secured the home victory.
On Saturday, AZ Alkmaar continued their superb form by getting their sixth win in a row, a spectacular 6-3 win at number three Heracles. FC Twente picked up their third consecutive win by defeating Roda JC 1-0 in Kerkrade and Vitesse was too strong for sc Heerenveen: 3-0.
On Friday, SC Cambuur lost 2-0 at home against FC Utrecht, while De Graafschap drew 0-0 at Willem II and handed the last place to Cambuur. The latter saw head coach Henk de Jong resign last week. Interim-coach Sipke Hulshoff led the team against FC Utrecht, but FC Emmen coach Marcel Keizer was presented as definite successor on Saturday.
PSV maintained the first position with 56 points from 23 matches, followed by main rivals Ajax (55), Heracles Almelo (38), AZ (37), Vitesse (36) and, dropping from fourth place, Feyenoord (36). Endit