AZ's dismal form continues; Feyenoord and Utrecht win to keep third place battle alive
AZ Alkmaar’s poor form continued on Sunday as Maarten Martens’ team lost 1-0 away to Heracles Almelo. The Alkmaarders are winless in their last nine, which is all the more concerning due to the fact that they face Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB Cup final next week.
Heracles climbed to eight in the table due to the win. Jizz Hornkamp’s goal resulted in Erwin van der Looi’s side climbing over SC Heerenveen into the European playoff spots. They are unbeaten in their last four.
The top of the table did not change much after this round of fixtures, with all four of the top four winning. Ajax defeated Willem II on Sunday evening. This was a day after PSV had hammered relegation candidates Almere 5-0 due to goals from Ismael Saibari (2), Johan Bakayoko, Noa Lang, and Malik Tillman.
Feyenoord and Utrecht also made no mistakes in the battle for third place, which guarantees a spot in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Jakub Moder scored twice for Robin van Persie’s side in their 0-2 win away to Fortuna Sittard, who finished the game with 10 men after Edouard Michut was sent off in the 84th minute.
FC Utrecht picked up a comfortable 3-1 win at home against FC Groningen. Souffian El Karouani and Yoann Cathline put the Utrecht side 2-0 ahead within just 20 minutes. Groningen got one back through Stije Resink in the 32nd minute before Sebastien Haller scored in the 42nd minute to finish off the scoring for the day.
Feyenoord are currently three points ahead of FC Utrecht in the race for third.
