Feyenoord beat RKC 5-1 and are on track for the title
Feyenoord remain eight behind the top of the Eredivisie standings after beating RKC Waalwijk 5-1 at De Kuip in Rotterdam on Sunday night. Own goals from Mats Wiefer, Igor Paixiao, Quilinschi Hartman, Santiago Giminez and Yacine Oukiri secured victory for Arne Slott’s side.
Feyenoord warmed up in a shirt that read ‘gebruik je verstand’ (use common sense). Those are the words Feyenoord assistant manager John de Wolff addressed to the crowd after an object thrown by a fan hit Davy Klaasen in the head. The stadium had a net around the pitch to prevent the same thing from happening again. Lutsharel Geertruida has recovered from a muscle injury he suffered while playing for the Dutch national team against France.
RKC Waalwijk showed their first dangerous flash when Quillinschie Hartmann was forced to clear a volley shot from former Ajax midfielder Vernon Anita. Minutes after Jeroen Lelieveld took possession, Feyenoord had their first chance of the game. Etienne Wessen saves Idrisi’s shot.
Feyenoord built up the pressure after a chance as they took the lead with 28 minutes of play. The Dutch national team created the first goal of the match just a minute after Mats Wieffer hit the post with a header from a corner. Wiefer took the ball to the byline and attempted a low cross, but Yasin Ukiri deflected it into the net.
Arne Slot’s team doubled their score a few minutes later. Feyenoord exploited it to create an opportunity. This time, Anita was spotted taking a nap as Santiago beat his two defenders before his Jimenez hit the post. The rebound came off perfectly for Igor Paixiao, who scored his second goal in his last two league games.
Jimenez was also involved in the third goal that fell in the 39th minute. Idrisi found a rushing Hartman who aimed a cross towards Jimenez. The Mexican tried to put it in the net, but missed the ball as it rolled over Wesen into the far corner.
Feyenoord’s fourth goal was a testament to the confidence of the team, especially Jimenez. Sebastian Szymanski volleyed past the top and Gimenez ran. He had already spotted Paixao running, but he perfectly channeled it into the Brazilian’s pass on his backheel to finish in style.
Nine minutes later, Jiménez scored in a well-deserved performance to make the Rotterdams 5–0. Again, the ferocious pressing of the midfield made the difference. After captain Orkun Kokchu got the ball, he fed it to Jiménez before carrying it about 30 yards.
RKC scored a consolation goal in the 69th minute and then slammed another sloppy possession loss. Substitute Marcus Pedersen lost the ball to Oukiri, who threw the ball through for Julen Lovete to finish.
Feyenoord are eight points behind Ajax in the Eredivisie table and are dreaming of their first league title since 2017. RKC Waalwijk is in his ninth place, far from relegation with European football.
https://nltimes.nl/2023/04/09/feyenoord-stays-course-title-beating-rkc-5-1 Feyenoord beat RKC 5-1 and are on track for the title