Jeroen Zoet’s howler of the season

It’s the return of the Mack, I’m still alive just like 2Pac, and I’m still keeping up with the competition. Now please pardon the Skepta reference and let me guide you through another weekend of Eredivisie football, alright?

Late bloom for Heerenveen

After three straight losses in the league, the boys from Heerenveen knew it’s now or never to bounce back and keep the Europa League play-off spot. They welcomed Roda this weekend, a team hanging just above the relegation zone.

The first moment of importance came a few minutes into the second half, as El Makrini tried to stamp his way through Martin Odegaard’s leg, and made a helpless Roda a ten man team with a straight red. Odegaard luckily escaped the challenge without an injury, and just six minutes later took on free kick responsibilities, dishing the ball to Schmidt who made it 1-0.

Heerenveen left it late to put a stamp on their victory, but they eventually did so as Zeneli found Veerman with a beautiful pass in the 89th minute and the man who got subbed in for Odegaard smashed the ball home at the near post. Sam Larsson went down in the penalty area in the 91st minute, leaving Ghoochannejhad to set the final score at 3-0 from the spot.

AZ secure a point

The Europa League fixtures were a total nightmare for AZ, who conceded a grand total of 11 goals over just two games against Olympique Lyonnais. Playing in the league just three days after a 7-1 thrashing at the hands (and feet) of Nabil Fekir and co. is not easy, but AZ managed to scrape a point together.

Things didn’t look all to well for Van der Brom’s side though, as just three minutes after the restart, PEC Zwolle’s Ryan Thomas got a corner kick to drop gently to his feet, smashing it not-so-gently into Tim Krul’s net. AZ, whom outshot their opposition and enjoyed 70 percent possession, got saved just ten minutes before the final whistle, as Garcia broke into the penalty area and dished to Friday, who just couldn’t have missed the open goal.

After their second draw in a row, AZ now sit in fifth place; just three points behind Utrecht, but also just a single point ahead of Heerenveen.

Shootout at Groningen

Fourth placed FC Utrecht travelled to FC Groningen, who haven’t won in the league since mid-January and sit eleventh on the table. The hosts did look poised to win this time though, as Brian Linssen put them ahead with just 4 minutes on the clock, and added another one just before the break.

Eight minutes after their half time tea, the visitors mounted a comeback through Sebastian Haller, who headed home his tenth goal of the season. With just eleven minutes to go, right full-back Giovanni Troupee put Utrecht level with a thunderous shot into the top right corner. And just three minutes later, Kerk put the ball to Ayoub, whom gently slid his shot around Sergio Padt and into the back of the net to give Utrecht a massive win.

Feyenoord have Zoet to thank

Saving the biggest, and somehow also weirdest, game for last, Feyenoord welcomed PSV on Sunday in a battle Championship eligibility.

The hosts didn’t enjoy most of the ball, but still managed to land more shots than PSV and kept out the Eindhovenaren; allowing them just two attempts on goal. Feyenoord eventually opened the score nine minutes in, as Kongolo broke through PSV’s defence and found Jens Toornstra, whom smashed it into the top of the net.

Despite having just two shots on goal all game, PSV still managed to turn one of them into the equaliser, as Pereiro finished a beautiful combination with a curling shot past Brad Jones.

And then, in the 82nd minute.

Somehow, this happened.

Zoet heroically stopped Van der Heijden’s header at point blank range, only to feel the need to cuddle the ball inside the goal and ultimately putting it over said line, handing Feyenoord the win. Nijhuis’ hawk-eye system bleeped and Rotterdam cheered.

Due to one of the biggest howlers I have seen a goalie pull off, Feyenoord remain five points clear at the top of the table ahead of their derby match-up with Sparta Rotterdam. Let’s all hope they aren’t this lucky next time we keep up with the competition.