By Jan-Kees Joosse (30/9/25)
Above: Excelsior Rotterdam celebrate their win. Photo: Excelsior Rotterdam.
In the third round of the Eredivisie some tough lessons were learned, alongside some positive ones: Excelsior’s surprise performance to get their first away win in three years is an inspiration for any team who have had to learn the hard way.
Ajax can’t break AZ down and lose first points
AZ Alkmaar 0 – 0 Ajax
AZ and Ajax shared the spoils in Alkmaar on Sunday afternoon. In a match full of intensity and tactical adjustments, the encounter ended 0-0, a result that leaves both teams with mixed feelings.
Ajax, who had not dropped any points so far this season, faced a tough opponent in AZ, who pressed high from the very first whistle. Anouk Bruijl’s Ajax made some notable changes. The expected change was Mirte van Koppen starting on the left wing, taking the place of Lotte Keukelaar, who transfered to Real Madrid. In addition, Sherida Spitse returned to her old role as a number 8 in the midfield. It’s a remarkable choice given that the experienced midfielder had mainly directed play from the back line over the past three years.
(FC Leeuwinnen has profiled Lotte Keukelaar as having huge potential for The Netherlands)
From midfield, Spitse was able to oversee the game more effectively, close spaces, and track positions with greater ease. That became evident right away in the first half: Spitse actually plays more freely and applied her tactical ability naturally and useful in an inexperienced team. Yet AZ refused to be intimidated. The home side gave Ajax little time on the ball, pressed aggressively, and forced the visitors into excellent creative solutions for some actual danger.
Only toward the end of the first half Ajax did begin to grow into the game. Still, the second half started much like the first: AZ pressing forward, Ajax searching for answers. As the match went on, Ajax found more rhythm. Free kicks and corners created dangerous moments, but AZ’s goalkeeper and defense held firm.
In the closing stages, substitutions changed the dynamic but not the scoreline. Floor Spaan and Eloualidi injected fresh energy for AZ, while Touzani and Elija added attacking threat for Ajax. Yet both sides remained in balance, and the goalless score stood.
For Ajax, the draw feels like a missed opportunity in the battle for the top spots with PSV and FC Twente. AZ, on the other hand, can be satisfied with taking a point against a top side – a result that gives confidence heading into the coming weeks.
Excelsior impress against Heerenveen
Excelsior continued their upward trajectory on Saturday evening with a surprising and convincing win over sc Heerenveen. The Rotterdam side showed not only their defensive organization but also their attacking potential.
With their first game against PSV they showed their defensive strength, but scoring problems. Against AZ they scored their first goal and went ahead in the first half and played a tight match against AZ. Now against Heerenveen, they showed how much they are able to learn from each match and grow – with a 3-1 victory to gain their first three points and their first away win in three years.
This was very unexpected since Excelsior drew seven times and won only once last season. This wasn’t just luck, this was a great team performance with beautiful goals!
Early in the match, Excelsior managed to get neatly through the Heerenveen defense. Normally relying on their passing to play out from pressure, this time their accuracy was also used effectively in building towards goal. A well-crafted move led to the opening goal by Katelyn Hendriks, who slotted home to make it 1-0.
Heerenveen struggled with several injuries at the back, forcing experienced midfielder Inessa Kaag to drop into central defense, which weakened their midfield presence. Excelsior capitalized fully: after half an hour, Hilhorst doubled the lead with a delightful chip for 2-0.
Excelsior also demonstrated clear improvement in their finishing, previously a point of criticism. In first-half stoppage time, they struck again. After an excellent pass from Hilhorst, Hendriks rounded the goalkeeper and secured a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break.
Although Excelsior conceded a goal late in the match and were unable to keep a clean sheet, the joy prevailed. A team that had so often been held to draws this season claimed three points in emphatic fashion.
PSV gain confidence in ‘Swiss-cheese’ defending from HERA
PSV Eindhoven 4 – 0 HERA United
PSV claimed a dominant win over HERA on Sunday evening, underlining their growing confidence in front of goal. The Eindhoven side began, as usual, in control of possession, but in the opening half they struggled to convert their dominance into a decisive scoreline.
Lore Jacobs was the most dangerous player in the first half, exploiting gaps in the HERA defense. After missing several good chances, she finally found the net with her fourth attempt, calmly shooting the ball into the far corner to give PSV a deserved 1-0 lead.
Not long after, Chimera Ripa once again proved to be a constant attacking threat. Known primarily for her headed goals, she showed she can also finish with her feet. After a sharp pass from Haentjes, Ripa dribbled past her marker and doubled the lead with a composed finish, making it 2-0.
The third goal came from an unlikely source: Siska Folkertsma, usually deployed as a full-back but positioned centrally on this occasion, found the net to put PSV 3-0 ahead for the first time this Eredivisie season.
The final strike was reserved for Liz Rijsbergen, who scored her first goal for PSV. Taking advantage of a broken HERA attack, she carried the ball from her own half and fired a powerful finish into the back of the net to seal a 4-0 victory.
With this performance, PSV demonstrated that their attack is starting to click, and the team looks sharp and well in sync going forward.
Feyenoord leave league originals ADO Den Haag in the relegation zone
Feyenoord Rotterdam 2 – 0 ADO Den Haag
Feyenoord recorded another convincing victory over ADO Den Haag, further solidifying their position in the Eredivisie.
The home side took an early lead and kept the match firmly under control from start to finish. In just the second minute, a Feyenoord corner opened the scoring. Takeshigi calmly slotted the ball home to give the hosts an immediate advantage. In the 37th minute, Ella van Kerkhoven doubled the lead.
The Belgian forward has been struggling for form this season and had yet to score. She got her head to a strong cross from Van De Lavoir. Her goal against ADO was no coincidence: last season, she netted a hat-trick against the same opponent.
The second half seemed destined for a third Feyenoord goal, but neither side managed to add to the scoreline. ADO Den Haag once again struggled to create attacking chances when space was limited, while Feyenoord remained solid at the back and maintained control of the game.
With this win, Feyenoord once again underline their dominance in the Eredivisie, while ADO Den Haag continue to struggle near the bottom of the table.
FC Twente on cruise control against PEC Zwolle
PEC Zwolle 1 – 4 FC Twente
FC Twente secured a comfortable victory over PEC Zwolle on Sunday afternoon, underlining their strong form.
The hosts took an early lead and remained largely in control, although at the beginning their sharpness in front of goal was lacking, but in the end they finished convincingly. Not for the first time this season, they were most dangerous in the final stages of the game.
Early in the match, Jaimy Ravensbergen put Twente ahead. Her shot on the turn bounced in off the post to make it 1-0. Despite further chances in the first half through Ravensbergen, Rose Ivens and Jill Roord, the home side lacked the precision and decision-making to extend their lead.
After the break, Sophie Proost took charge. With a confident move, she delivered a pinpoint cross for Ravensbergen to head home, doubling the advantage to 2-0. PEC quickly pulled one back through Ilvy Seip, who converted after Carleer’s effort was blocked by Proost.
But Proost again showed why coach Corina Dekker positions her centrally on the left. With a composed strike into the far corner, she restored Twente’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. In stoppage time, Jill Roord’s corner created danger for PEC, with Ginkel finishing off the play to seal a 4-1 win.
With this result, FC Twente confirm their strong form and remain firmly in the race at the top of the Eredivisie table.
FC Utrecht edge past NAC Breda
NAC Breda 1 – 3 FC Utrecht
FC Utrecht struggled but managed to claim a 3-1 victory over NAC on Sunday afternoon, keeping their points tally growing.
Despite the scoreline, Utrecht’s performance left plenty to be desired. The visitors started shakily, allowing NAC several early chances.
In the 25th minute, 17-year-old Rosalie Renferum opened the scoring. Stepping in for Lena Mahieu, who was suspended after last week’s red card, Renferum intercepted the ball near the NAC defense, created space for herself on the edge of the box, and calmly finished for her first goal with Utrecht. Earlier this year, she was part of the Netherlands U17 side that won the European Championship, and she marked her league start by giving Utrecht the lead.
Not long after, Brigitte Frank equalized for NAC, adding to her goal tally after also scoring against Feyenoord earlier this season. The quick reply gave NAC momentum, while Utrecht looked unsettled. Goalkeeper Bastiaen often came off her line too hastily, adding to the nervy look of the team. The defensive organisation and trust is unstable after Ilse van de Zanden left to Fiorentina.
Eventually, Utrecht’s best attackers found their rhythm. Nikita Tromp and Lobke Loonen combined well, with Tromp threading a through ball behind the defense for Loonen, who calmly slotted past the keeper at the near post to restore the lead.
In stoppage time, Sam de Jong sealed a goal with a flattering scoreline by a creative split second moment. When Sam had the ball, all focus was on Loonen who was offside, so she decided in a split second to shoot the ball from distance, right over the goalkeeper who was off her line. NAC were caught by surprise and gave away a flattering 3-1 scoreline to Utrecht.
Utrecht took home the three points, but their display was riddled with sloppiness and uncertainty. The team will need to improve its stability and focus in the coming weeks. But it’s still promising they will find their ways to win games. This must give them the trust they seem to crave at this moment in the competition.
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