Robin van Persie picks up first win as Feyenoord manager with hammering of FC Twente

Robin van Persie picked up his first win as Feyenoord on Sunday. The Rotterdammers proved to be much too good for their competitors, FC Twente, winning 2-6 in Enschede. Brazilian winger Igor Paixao was the main man scoring three of Feyenoord’s goals. Sem Steijn scored twice for FC Twente and consolidated his spot as the top scorer of the Eredivisie this season with 22 goals.

It was an important win for Feyenoord in their battle for third place, which ensures a spot in the qualifiers for the UEFA Champions League. The current third place side, FC Utrecht lost 0-1 to NEC Nijmegen on Saturday and now only has a two point lead on Feyenoord who have played a game less. FC Twente dropped to fifth spot and has one point less than Feyenoord.

Paixao returned to the team after a thigh injury and confirmed his worth to the side instantly. Givairo Read also played an important role in Feyenoord’s win. The right wing-back crossed the ball for Ayase Ueda’s opener in the tenth minute.

Paixao doubled the lead shortly after this when he capitalized on a clumsy pass by Mathias Kjølø, smashing the ball into the top corner.

FC Twente helped Feyenoord get their third midway through the first half. Gustaf Lagerbielke shot the ball into his teammate Gijs Besselink’s face, which then gave Paixao the chance to lay the ball off to Ueda to make it 0-3.

Steijn converted a penalty for Twente in the 41st minute, which had been given for a foul committed by Hugo Bueno on Taylor Booth.

Feyenoord did not take long to increase their lead in the second half. A good through ball from Read put Paixao in front of the keeper, and he dribbled past Lars Unnerstal before placing it into the empty goal.

Paixao also got Feyenoord’s fifth goal just after the hour mark. Steijn got another goal back for Twente, who were missing their strikers Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Sam Lammers through injury.

Substitute Aymen Sliti scored the final goal of the game to make it 2-6.