Feyenoord keep UEFA Europa League hopes alive with 3-0 win over Sturm Graz
Feyenoord kept their UEFA Europa League hopes alive with a convincing 3-0 win over Austrian side Sturm Graz on Thursday. The Rotterdammers, who have been on a very poor run of form, came out victorious after goals from Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Anis Hadj Moussa, and Goncalo Borges.
With one game remaining, Feyenoord is currently in 27th place. They are a point behind 24th place, which guarantees a place in the playoff round. They face Real Betis in the final game next week in Spain.
Feyenoord were able to start the game with their top scorer for the season. Ayase Ueda had missed his side’s dramatic 4-3 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam last weekend through injury. Van Persie also had a return on the bench with Oussama Targhelline coming back from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he lost the final.
It was a positive start from the Rotterdammers with a goal in the fifth minute. A corner from Anis Hadj Moussa was headed in by Tsuyoshi Watanabe. Corners are a clear weakness for the Sturm Graz defence; this is their fifth goal conceded from a corner in seven games in the competition.
The away side almost equalized in the 15th minute. A chip over the Feyenoord defence found Seedy Jatta, who was given a chance to lob the ball into the goal due to Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther’s ill-fated decision to come out, but fortunately for the German, the effort went wide.
Feyenoord doubled their lead in the 69th minute. A fantastic driven pass by Wellenreuther found Hadj Moussa in space, he played the ball to Borges before it eventually found its way back to Algerian, who gave the goalkeeper no chance with a hard, low shot into the near post.
The home side got a third goal in the final minute of regular time to cap off a welcome win. Cyle Latin did well to carry the ball from inside his own half to the opposition box. He then played it to Shaquille van Persie, who added to his two goals at the weekend with an assist by backheeling the ball to Borges in front of the goal. His finish was an easy one, making it 3-0.
