Excelsior pulls 2-1 win against Eagles – NAC-Willem II permanently shut down

NAC-Willem II shut down again, now permanently

“Shame on you” blares through the Rat Verlegh stadium as the match has been stopped again. Shortly after a Willem II goal, plastic glasses of beer are thrown onto the pitch after which referee Manschot decides to stop the match for good.

EXC-GAE | 90+5′ Finished

Excelsior holds the lead and wins 2-1 over Go Ahead Eagles.

Ten Hag must miss Martinez for rest of season

Lisandro Martinez has played his last game of the season for Manchester United. The central defender injured his foot in the Europa League match against Sevilla and appears to have broken his metatarsal.

The former Ajacied should be fit in time for the start of the new season.

EXC-GAE | 84′ Kharchouch headed alone at goalkeeper….

NAC-Willem II almost back on track

The Keuken Kampioen Divisie match between NAC Breda and Willem II was halted in the closing stages after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch. Although it was one piece of fireworks that could also be quickly extinguished by a steward, referee Jeroen Manschot decided to follow the KNVB’s tightened rules and send all players to the dressing rooms. “Shame on you,” chanted much of the crowd in the Rat Verlegh stadium.

The Brabant derby started a little later than planned because plenty of fireworks were set off before kickoff. “Temporarily suspended. Do not throw objects toward the field,” appeared on the screens in the stadium after the match was halted in the closing stages at a score of 0-0.

The match is scheduled to resume after a short stoppage. If something is thrown on the field again, the game will be stopped permanently. The KNVB tightened the rules last week after Ajax player Davy Klaassen had an object thrown at his head from the Feyenoord crowd at De Kuip.

Both teams are now back on the pitch and preparing to resume the match.

Meanwhile in the KKD, NAC-Willem II suspended due to fireworks

EXC-GAE | 65′ GOAL EXCELSIOR!

Things are suddenly going fast! Now the ball is back in at the other end. Goudmine’s shot was turned away by De Lange, but Baas’ rebound was unstoppable. Excelsior in the lead again.

EXC-GAE | 62′ GOAL GO AHEAD EAGLES!

Where the goals were but lacking in the first half, it is now quickly hit twice. Kuipers takes the Excelsior goal under fire with a hard volley towards the cross, Van Gassel with the good reflex, but Willumson stands at the second post to simply tap the ball in. 1-1 meanwhile.

EXC-GAE | 54′ GOAL EXCELSIOR!

And then suddenly it’s 1-0 thanks to blunder in the Eagles defense. Keeper De Lange with a short ball to José Fontán after which the Spaniard loses the ball. In the end it is Couhaib Driouech who gives the decisive touch. Excelsior in the lead at home.

EXC-GAE | 46′ Here we go again!

The ball is rolling again in Rotterdam, where it is 0-0 between Excelsior and Go Ahead. If the second half is as enjoyable as the closing stages of the first, those goals are going to come.

Despite a very strong final phase by Go Ahead, in which the visitors became well dangerous a couple of times, it is still 0-0 in Rotterdam.

EXC-GAE | 37′ Go Ahead even more dangerous!

That was a very close call for Go Ahead. Finn Stokkers had the perfect opportunity to strike the ball into the goal from several meters away. However, the striker sees his hard volley go high over.

EXC-GAE | 32′ Excelsior dangerous!

There was almost the opening goal for the home team. Julian Baas popped a free kick hard at the crossbar.

EXC-GAE | Who do we have there?

Just last night matchwinner for city rival Feyenoord in the Europa League match against AS Roma, tonight Mats Wieffer sits in the stands with teammate and former Excelsior youth player Quilindschy Hartman. Wieffer made the switch from Excelsior to Feyenoord last summer.

EXC-GAE | 11′ Chance Go Ahead

A mistake at the back of Excelsior leads to the first big chance of the match. Stokkers runs up and passes to Adekanye. Just before the latter can strike, a Rotterdam foot intervenes.

Go Ahead has kicked off at Woudestein. The 29th round of the premier league has begun!

EXC-GAE | Goalkeepers on the move

Goalkeepers Stijn van Gassel (Excelsior) and Jeffrey de Lange (Go Ahead) did not miss a playing minute for their club this premier league season. Milan van Ewijk (sc Heerenveen), besides this duo, is the only other player who has been on the field every premier league minute this season.

EXC-GAE | Some facts in a row

– Excelsior won only four of the fourteen premier league matches at home with Go Ahead, which recorded seven victories in Rotterdam.

– In 1985, Go Ahead won for the last time: 0-1 (Voskamp). In 1976 it was 0-5.

– Number 16 Excelsior has six points less than Go Ahead (12th), which is missing defenders Nauber and Oppegard.

– Kuipers (Go Ahead) played three years for Excelsior. He headed Go Ahead to the premier league at Excelsior in 2021.

– Bas Kuipers and Finn Stokkers return to the starting lineup with the Eagles. Kuipers made his premier league debut in the shirt of Excelsior (on August 30, 2014) and played a total of 76 premier league games for the Kralingers.

– Marinus Dijkhuizen makes 1 change in his starting eleven compared to the lost away game against PSV last premiership round (4-0 loss): Marouan Azarkan returns to the starting line-up after his injury and replaces Sven Nieuwpoort.

– With 3 goals and 6 assists, Feyenoord loanee Azarkan is Excelsior’s most valuable player this premier league season.

EXC-GAE | Setup Go Ahead

EXC-GAE | Setup Excelsior

EXC-GAE | Go Ahead is in.

Osimhen back at Napoli

Victor Osimhen was greatly missed this week at Napoli, which lost 1-0 to AC Milan in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The striker was still injured at the time, but he may rejoin Saturday’s Serie A match with relegation candidate Hellas Verona.

Napoli has a 16-point lead over Lazio, who are second, nine games before the end of the league. Tuesday is the return in the Champions League against Milan.

Coefficient merchandise in circulation

Statistics guru Michel Abbink has already stumbled upon the first coefficient merchandise last night. Following Feyenoord’s win over AS Roma yesterday, the Netherlands has a second direct ticket to the 2024/2025 Champions League up for grabs.

Slot wary of stile Cambuur

Feyenoord coach Arne Slot is wary of underestimating the next opponent the day after the European success against AS Roma: number last in the Eredivisie SC Cambuur. “Like us, they need the points badly,” Slot said. “That is something we have to be vigilant about.”

“This season they are struggling, but at home they still often manage to make things difficult for the big clubs,” Slot warned. “See for example the victory over PSV, while AZ and FC Twente only made the difference late in the match.”

Cambuur and Feyenoord meet Sunday afternoon at 4:45 p.m.

Galtier angry over racism allegations, police investigate

Christophe Galtier, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, has responded to accusations that he expressed racist views during his time as Nice coach. He says he is “touched to the core” by the allegations.

French media recently published an e-mail from Nice’s sporting director addressed to that club’s board. In it, he claimed that Galtier had loudly questioned the amount of colored and Muslim players in the selection.

Police in Nice have announced an investigation and already conducted a search of that club’s offices.

PSG’s hard core announced in a statement that they believe Galtier should leave if the allegations are proven.

Galtier himself responded as follows: “I cannot allow my name and that of my family to be dragged through the mud like this. That is why I have decided to sue anyone who tarnishes my good name. I respect everyone, regardless of origin, house color or religion.”

Earlier, Turkish Fortuna striker Burak Yilmaz stood up for Galtier. The two worked together at Lille. “I worked with him and never noticed any negative behavior regarding religion or race with him,” he wrote on Twitter.

NEC likely to miss Tannane against Vitesse

It is unlikely that Oussama Tannane will be fit in time for NEC-Vitesse. It would be a big loss for the Nijmegen side, as Tannane was in blood form before his injury.

Coach Rogier Meijer has little hope for Tannane’s quick return. “If we take too much risk, it might be the end of the season for him and that’s not what we want. It’s more likely that he won’t be there than that he will be there.

The former Vitesse player scored six goals and gave nine assists in the premier league this season. In the last two games he played, against RKC and PSV, the Moroccan scored twice each time. Against PSV, he was injured.

By the way, in the first edition of the Gelderland derby, Tannane picked up a red. The match in Arnhem ended 0-0.

Bild: ‘Liverpool want to pluck Gravenberch away from Bayern’

According to Bild, which also reported today that Ajax want to buy Julian Rijkhoff from Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool are interested in Ryan Gravenberch. Jürgen Klopp reportedly wants to revamp The Reds’ selection considerably and Gravenberch should be part of that.

The 20-year-old midfielder went from Ajax to Bayern in the summer, but does not get to play much there. Even under Thomas Tuchel, successor to the sacked Julian Nagelsmann, Gravenberch is almost always on the bench.

After the painful defeat at Manchester City (3-0), Bayern players Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané got into a fight with each other. What exactly happened is not clear, but Mané received a suspension from the club itself.

Coach Tuchel addressed it briefly today. “We have pronounced it and with that it has been resolved. I know Sadio as an absolute top professional and that is no different now.” Mané, like the injured Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, will miss Saturday afternoon’s match against Hoffenheim.

Van Nistelrooij on Dutch coefficient-fest: ‘Amazing development’

PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij is also happy with the Dutch advance on UEFA’s coefficient list. From the 2024/2025 season, the premier league will have an extra Champions League ticket.

“It’s a great development for the premier league,” Van Nistelrooij said. “It’s definitely something to be proud of, but it’s important to maintain and expand that place.”

Former NAC and Feyenoord player Luyten passed away

Former soccer player Cock Luyten passed away last week at the age of 86. The former striker played in the past for NAC Breda and Feyenoord, among others.

A minute’s silence will be observed at the Rat Verlegh Stadion before NAC’s home match against Willem II on Friday night. Luyten played 353 official matches for the Breda club during two spells in the 1960s.

Fitz-Jim wants more than Jong Ajax, with a rental if necessary

In a mostly messy season in Amsterdam, a budding talent is looking for his way. Kian Fitz-Jim is 19 years old, now playing his third season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and hiccuping against Ajax’s first, but making a definitive breakthrough in an eleven-man team that is largely wandering through the season is proving difficult.

The defensive midfielder briefly trotted into Ajax 1 twice in the league, as a substitute away from SC Cambuur and NEC. Not yet in an Eredivisie match in his own Johan Cruijff Arena. And so Fitz-Jim, who did start in the cup matches with FC Den Bosch and De Graafschap (again both times away from home), is not yet satisfied.

“I think as a human being you are never really satisfied with what you have and you always want more. I’m at that point now. I made my debut and I want more.” But the question is whether the talent is going to get many playing minutes this premier league season.

Van Nistelrooij on De Jong and Sangaré

Luuk de Jong is fit enough to start for PSV against FC Volendam tomorrow night, after being out against Excelsior (4-0) last week. The striker has been injured often this season, but despite this, he is of great value, according to coach Ruud van Nistelrooij.

“He is very stable and takes responsibility for the team,” the coach said at the press conference before Volendam away. “Of course sometimes he has complaints and pains. He comes from a situation where he played mostly as a substitute. So he had to get used again to the rhythm of playing three times 90 minutes a week.”

Van Nistelrooij also received questions about Ibrahim Sangaré, who was passed over for last week’s game with Excelsior (4-0). “He handled that extremely well. He has reacted very well, is there at training sessions and is getting the best out of himself.”

In recent weeks, different players have been swapping places in PSV’s midfield. Doesn’t Van Nistelrooij puzzle too much? “The basis is the constant, but now and then you have to make some adjustments.”

Ten Hag looks to miss Martínez for a while

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag is concerned about the injury to Lisandro Martínez, who sat out yesterday’s Europa League game with Sevilla (2-2). Ten Hag assumes the Argentine defender will not be available in Sunday’s league match against Nottingham Forest.

“There was no opponent involved, so it doesn’t look good. But we have to wait and see. The medical staff has to do its job and then we will get the right diagnosis,” the Dutch coach said.

There was talk of a severe Achilles tendon injury, but Ten Hag said it was not. “I know just what it is, but not his Achilles tendon. I spoke with him and he is okay and calm.” In addition to Martinez, Ten Hag also had to substitute his other defender Raphael Varane at halftime.

Bild: ‘Ajax bets on Rijkhoff’s arrival’

According to German (sports) newspaper Bild, Ajax wants to bring back Julian Rijkhoff from Borussia Dortmund this summer. The 18-year-old striker traded Ajax’s training for Dortmund’s two seasons ago.

Rijkhoff has made quite an impression in Germany, including his goals in the UEFA Youth League. Ajax would however have to pay a transfer fee for Rijkhoff, who recently extended his contract at Die Borussen.

That other Koopmeiners also has ambition: ‘Never engaged in comparisons myself’

Peer Koopmeiners was once prominently featured in La Gazzetta dello Sport. By accident. Because the renowned sports newspaper confused him with the two-year older Teun, who was in the interest of AS Roma.

To the outside world they also look very similar, the two soccer brothers. At AZ, Peer seemed to be the dream successor in the Alkmaar midfield after Teun’s departure, but it still hasn’t materialized.

While Teun has been playing in the top of the Italian Serie A and the Champions League with Atalanta for some time now and has become an Orange international, Peer is fighting against relegation with Excelsior. Again tonight in the home game against Go Ahead Eagles (8 p.m.).

Cocu also misses NEC-Vitesse, due to ‘complicated recovery’ appendectomy

Phillip Cocu will not be able to line up for the Gelderland derby either. The Vitesse coach is still in hospital after an operation on his appendix a week ago. He also missed last week’s game between Vitesse and Go Ahead Eagles (2-0).

The coach will be replaced by his assistant Chris van der Weerden, who once started his soccer career at NEC. The Arnheimers’ club website states that Cocu is expected to remain in hospital for several more days for treatment and observation, as his recovery from surgery is “complicated.

In doing so, Vitesse reports that the 52-year-old Cocu will resume his duties in phases as soon as possible. “I hope to be back on the pitch myself soon, but for now I have to prioritize my health. I wish the staff, players, colleagues and supporters good luck in the Gelderland derby this weekend.”

Wonderful night for goal scorer Wieffer

Back to yesterday, to Feyenoord’s fine victory over AS Roma, in the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

Mats Wieffer was briefly the schlemiel at the end of the first half against AS Roma, after an unfortunate handball resulted in a penalty against. In the second half, on the contrary, he had every reason to cheer. The 23-year-old midfielder, who made his Orange debut against Gibraltar at the end of March, scored handsomely shortly after halftime.

“I always hear that I should shoot more often. At that moment I had time to think and I thought: I’ll shoot in one shot, even if it goes out of the stadium. I did that once before and then the ball went in too, so maybe I should do it more often. It went in nicely.”

Haller says goodbye to Ajax fans

Sébastien Haller will say goodbye to Ajax fans on Sunday evening prior to Ajax – FC Emmen. The French-Ivorian striker left this summer after a season and a half for Borussia Dortmund.

Shortly after his switch, Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The striker has since recovered from that and in recent weeks he has been playing regularly in the starting line-up at Dortmund.

Two direct CL tickets are in, De Jong is proud

Based on the UEFA coefficient list, the Netherlands can count on two direct starting tickets for the Champions League from the 2024/2025 season. This means that for the first time in 23 years, the Netherlands will compete for a total of three Champions League tickets next season. After all, the number three of the 2023/2024 premier league season will advance to the third preliminary round of the billion-dollar ball.

This season in the premier league, only the first (group stage) and second place (preliminary rounds) entitle to Champions League soccer. The extra ticket is in, as the Netherlands has now definitively taken over sixth place on the coefficient list from Portugal.

Eredivisie chief Jan de Jong is as proud as a peacock at that sixth spot. “Because of the extra European tickets, this is incredibly important for the attractiveness of the Eredivisie, the commercial growth and financial stability of the clubs, the development and value of players, and the attraction for new talents. Now we must work together to ensure that we retain this spot.”

“Together we have made the importance of European soccer central by agreeing, among other things, that all clubs in the Eredivisie commit to cooperate with requests to reschedule matches in the interest of an optimal match schedule for the European playing clubs.”

“Also the later entry of the European playing clubs in the KNVB Cup and the collective decision to promote playing on natural grass contributed to the common goal of becoming a stronger Dutch league.”

End of season for Utrechter Hendriks

FC Utrecht will have to do without Ramon Hendriks for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old defender suffered a knee injury last week in the away match with FC Groningen and must rehabilitate for several months.

It is the second serious injury for Hendriks in a short time. The Feyenoord mercenary suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the summer just before his transfer. He only made his debut for Utrecht last month.

Hendriks was one of three injured players who dropped out of FC Utrecht’s away game with FC Groningen in quick succession:

Yesterday football-loving Holland celebrated a huge coefficient party until the wee hours of the morning, and now another premier league weekend is already upon us.

Reflecting on the unstoppable rise of the Netherlands on that UEFA list, here we prepare you for the upcoming soccer days.