Feyenoord Draws 3-3 at NAC, Jeopardizing Direct Champions League Spot
Feyenoord was held to a 3-3 draw at NAC Breda, dropping two points that matter in the race for a direct Champions League place. Sunday at 10: 14 p. m. ET — the result leaves the title-chasing positions tight and gives NEC a chance to close to three points with a win tonight.
Feyenoord’s Ueda Nets 20th Goal, Ends 11-Match Drought
Ayase Ueda opened the scoring for Feyenoord by heading in from an Anis Hadj Moussa corner to make it 0-1, ending an 11-match dry spell, and later converted a header the underside of the bar to level the game at 3-3 for his 20th goal of the season. The two headers were the clear attacking highlights for the visiting side and provided the only goals credited to Ueda in the match.
NAC’s First-Half Rally Fueled by Sowah, Lucassen and Ayew
NAC produced three first-half goals: Kamal Sowah drew the hosts level at 1-1, Boyd Lucassen scored with a header from a Boy Kemper cross, and André Ayew headed in from a Lewis Holtby assist to make it 3-2 at the interval. Ayew’s strike was his first goal in NAC colours, and the host side’s haul of three first-half goals pushed them up to 17th place on the table after Telstar won earlier in the day.
Wellenreuther, Van Persie and Sterling Highlight Defensive and Finishing Issues
Goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther said the team conceded three goals in the first half in ways the squad must address, noting that danger came repeatedly from crosses and set pieces and that the side must defend those situations better. Wellenreuther also pointed to the team’s training and group spirit while urging on-field improvement.
Manager Robin van Persie named Raheem Sterling in the starting lineup for the first time; the 31-year-old Englishman was lively early with a blocked shot and a near half-bicycle attempt and later failed to finish a low Jordan Bos cross in the second half. Despite Feyenoord dominating much of the second half, Sterling’s missed chance and a squandered opportunity by NAC attacker Charles-Andres Brym kept the score level at 3-3.
Van Persie had described NAC as one of the more difficult Eredivisie opponents, and the match underlined that assessment: strong delivery into the box produced two headed goals for NAC, and defensive shortcomings in the first 45 minutes proved decisive in denying Feyenoord a win.
For feyenoord, the draw marks a second consecutive week without a league victory and fuels mounting criticism over the team’s ability to close out matches despite producing key attacking moments.
NEC’s home match against FC Volendam tonight is set to clarify the standings: if NEC wins, they can move to within three points of Feyenoord; clarity on that scenario is expected after the NEC game concludes Sunday at 10: 14 p. m. ET.
