The resurrection of Váša Černý was a fantastic start to my holiday, but don’t you worry guys – I did keep my eyes on more matches than our win over Groningen. Here’s the Eredivisie matchday 2 roundup as we keep up with the competition.
We start off on Saturday as FC Twente welcomed league newcomers, VVV Venlo. The new boys took down Sparta Rotterdam in their first game and were keen on surprising another established team – and they did. Vito van Crooy’s shot in the 23rd minute took everyone by surprise, most of all Jorn Brondeel, and put VVV ahead. Just before the break, Jerold Promes was found around the penalty spot and doubled the lead. Former Ajax youth player Tom Boere pulled one back for the hosts with a bullet header at the 60 minute mark, but it wasn’t quite enough. While VVV are 2-0 with a score of 5-1, last year’s top 4 contenders Twente sit among the last teams after two identical 1-2 losses.
Nog even nagenieten van de goal het weekend van Vito van Crooy #venlonaer pic.twitter.com/NCOmMZ9CB9
— Ruud Stikkelbroeck (@Staekelboks) 20 augustus 2017
AZ Alkmaar bounced back from their loss last week and recorded a win against ADO Den Haag. The visitors were down to ten men as Kanon was booked for the second time for a foul in the penalty area following AZ’s corner. Wout Weghorst’s spot kick touched the goalie’s fingertips indeed, but went in anyway and gave Alkmaar the lead. Til’s header after 70 minutes doubled the lead and set the final score – Alkmaar ran out 2-0 winners.
Vitesse are the current leaders of the Eredivisie after beating Roda 3-1 thanks to goals from Matavz, Bruns and Kashia. The only stain on their performance was a rather silly penalty, as Gustafson hit the post, but the ball bounced into Remko Pasveer’s back and into the net.
64. Roda JC op gelijke hoogte via een strafschop, Remko Pasveer krijgt de bal tegen zijn rug: 1-1 #dg #rodvit pic.twitter.com/8zZBpU853F
— Julian Droog (@JulianDroog) 18 augustus 2017
Feyenoord’s first derby of the season ended up being a closely contested one. Our rivals ran out 1-0 winners against Excelsior, as Jean-Paul Boëtius recorded the only goal following a nice solo run by Tony Vilhena. Feyenoord are 2 for 2, but let’s say their performances weren’t very decisive as they won narrowly both times.
Who didn’t win narrowly though was PSV. French striker Thierry Ambrose, loaned to NAC Breda from Manchester City, continued his trend of scoring every single time he’s on the pitch for his new side as he slotted home a penalty against the Eindhovenaren. But that was NAC’s only resistance, as Bergwijn, Van Ginkel, Lozano and Hendrix all scored to give the Eindhoven team a safe 4-1 win. Hirving Lozano is proving to be a great signing, as he scored his second goal in two leage outings and added an assist to Van Ginkel’s goal as well. Watch out for him.
??? @HirvingLozano70 pic.twitter.com/f0KKKe8Bbq
— PSV (@PSV) 21 augustus 2017
Next time around, Feyenoord and PSV welcome Willem II and Roda JC respectively. Vitesse’s big run for the top will be put to test against AZ Alkmaar.