Eredivisie Round-Up: Away Stalemates For Both PSV And Ajax

Defending champions PSV Eindhoven were in for a surprise at the “Seacon”, as Rachid Ofrany lobbed the ball over Heurelho Gomes as early as the second minute (1-0) – a birthday present to himself, since he only turned 21 last Thursday.

Venlo had only lost one of their previous 10 games, but they have now drawn seven out of 11 (!), since the Rood-Witten replied just 10 minutes later. New recruit Balázs Dzsudzsák scored his first goal in Dutch football in only his second outing as he capitalized on a Jeff Farfán pass.

It looked like Sef Vergoossen’s men would have their way when Peter Reekers received his marching orders just after the half-hour mark (32’), but it wasn’t to be, even though Ibi Afellay missed a great chance right at the death. The final score was 1-1.

Three-point lead

Even so, PSV Eindhoven stayed on top on 40 points, three ahead of Ajax who again had to settle for a draw against Nijmegen (1-1). Actually, they needed another Klaas-Jan Huntelaar strike, his 21st in 26 season appearances, to avoid another embarrassing defeat, four days after their 4-2 Beker humiliation at Breda.

On a muddy “Mc DOS / De Goffert” turf it was always going to be a matter of will and the hosts, fighting for their lives, broke the deadlock through Jeremain Lens after a quarter of an hour (16’, 1-0).

Adrie Koster threw on Dennis Rommedahl and Leonardo and after a few good chances the Johan Cruyff Schaal and Beker holders finally found their way back into the game when the sought-after Huntelaar pounced on a precise Kenneth Pérez ball to draw level (1-1).

Twente flying high

Twente continued their impressive run with a 3-1 win over Groningen, catching up with them at third place on 36 points - as many as Feyenoord, who have a game in hand, just like PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.

Blaise N’ Kufo scored twice (29’, 86’) to make it 16 for the season and Stijn Huysegems (53’) added a third for the hosts, while Ron Jans’ side could only hold on to Goran Lovré’s equalizer (47’) for six minutes.

Down at the bottom, a Charles Dissels brace (11’, 59’) helped Sparta Rotterdam to a stunning 6-1 drubbing of De Graafschap, who only pulled one back through Arnar Viðarsson (35’, 3-1). Yuri Rose (7’), Sepp de Roover (26’), Resit Schuurman (own-goal, 57’) and Nourdin Boukhari (68’) netted the other four, as the hosts, who have played a game less, only won for the third time in the campaign.

However, they dragged themselves out of the danger zone thanks to a better goal difference compared to Nijmegen and Excelsior Rotterdam.