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Kuyt leads Feyenoord to winning start for 2017 in Dutch league

Xinhua, January 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

Dutch league leaders Feyenoord began the second half of the Eredivisie season with a 2-0 win at Roda JC Kerkrade on Sunday.

Without key midfielder Karim El Ahmadi, who was called up to play for Morocco at the African Cup of Nations, Feyenoord initially had difficulties to find a gap in the tight defense of Roda in Kerkrade. In the second half, the home team managed to put pressure on the visitors.

It took until the 69th minute for Kuyt to break the deadlock for Feyenoord. The captain had no hesitation in converting an opportunity within the penalty area, although the TV images showed that he received the ball in offside position. After that goal, Roda gave up their resistance and Eljero Elia sealed the victory in the 88th minute.

Also on Sunday, Ajax ended the first half against PEC Zwolle at 0-0, but in the second half the Amsterdam-based club sealed a 3-1 win. It was with the help of 17-year-old debutant Justin Kluivert, the son of former Ajax star Patrick Kluivert, that Ajax made the difference in the second half.

Lasse Schone converted a penalty, Hakim Ziyech added a second goal within one minute, Nicolai Brock-Madsen narrowed the margin to one goal again and Ziyech decided the match in Zwolle with his second goal ten minutes from time.

On Saturday, PSV beat Excelsior 2-0 at home. New signing Marco van Ginkel, who had arrived on loan from Chelsea, opened the scoring in the 34th minute. PSV made it 2-0 from a fine counterattack in the second half. Andres Guardado found Davy Propper with a long distance pass and the latter scored.

Also on Saturday, Reza Ghoochannejhad led sc Heerenveen to a 2-0 victory over ADO Den Haag. The Iranian striker produced a brace. Sam Larsson missed a penalty on behalf of the home team and Norwegian prodigy Martin Odegaard, who came over on loan from Real Madrid, made his debut as a substitute in the final minutes.

Feyenoord now lead the Eredivisie table with 45 points from 18 matches, followed by Ajax (40), PSV (37), sc Heerenveen (32) and AZ (31), who opened the second half of the season with a 3-1 win at Go Ahead Eagles on Friday. Endit