By Jan-Kees Joosse (23/1/26)
Above: PSV v PEC Zwolle. Photo: Pedro Sluiter.
This week in the Eredivisie delivered a top-of-the-table clash and relegation fights. Will ADO survive, and were club hierarchy right in their decision to let their head coach go mid-season? Will Ajax take advantage of a fatigued Twente and finally usurp them at the summit?
Ajax 1-1 FC Twente
The top clash between FC Twente and Ajax in the Vrouwen Eredivisie ended in a 1–1 draw. Ajax remain top of the table with a two-point lead, although Twente still have a game in hand.
As is often the case in matches following the winter break, both teams showed signs of rust. The result was a game that lacked fluency at times, but it also produced two standout performances from young talents — an encouraging sight for Dutch women’s football supporters, who do not often get to see their future stars perform on home soil.
After the break, Ajax struck first through Ranneke Derks, who came on as a substitute for Xanne Kip. With a perfectly timed run in behind, an excellent first touch and composed finish, the 17-year-old scored a goal of real quality.
On the same flank, FC Twente fielded Liv Pennock, who made her debut after Sophie Proost was ruled out through injury. Pennock immediately made an impact, showcasing blistering pace that proved decisive. Although she was caught offside on several occasions, her speed eventually paid off when she pressured Ajax defender Amber Visscher, won the ball and calmly finished the equaliser.
That two attackers from the generation that won Euro U17 gold and World Cup U17 silver decided an Eredivisie classic underlines the promise of the next wave in Dutch football.
PSV 2-0 PEC Zwolle
Based on points, PEC Zwolle have been one of the surprise packages of the season, trailing PSV and Feyenoord by just three points after the winter break. For PSV, this match served as a valuable test ahead of the second half of the campaign, following an unsteady opening phase.
PSV had already lost to Ajax and FC Twente, making them less of a title contender than last season, when they beat Ajax and drew with Twente. Their priority now is to keep the chasing pack behind them, with PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord the main threats.
PSV approached the task in a solid and controlled manner. The team looked more composed and sharper than before, aided by the debut of Janice Cayman. The defender brings vast international experience and has made an immediate impact since her move from WSL side Leicester City.
The opening goal, scored seven minutes before half-time by Chimera Ripa, followed a well-constructed move involving Nina Nijstad and Riola Xhemaili. Ripa finished calmly inside the box and stood out with her creativity in attack.
Renate Jansen doubled the lead later on. After missing an earlier big chance, she could not fail from close range when Liz Rijsbergen delivered a perfect cross.
In their first match of 2026, PSV demonstrated superior individual quality compared to PEC Zwolle. The Eindhoven side are firmly pushing for one of the three Champions League places and possess the squad to do so. Investment in the women’s team is evident, not only through Cayman’s arrival but also with substitutes such as Fenna Kalma and debutant Shanice van de Sanden.
Seven internationals were on the pitch for PSV — an impressive figure at Eredivisie level. If the talent fully clicks, PSV could surprise in the second half of the season and beyond. For PEC Zwolle, the question remains whether this season is a flash in the pan or the start of a longer-term rise.
Heerenveen 3-2 AZ
The most dramatic and surprising match of the round took place in Friesland, where Heerenveen defeated AZ 3–2 in a crucial relegation battle.
On paper, AZ were the stronger side, but once again they failed to sustain their level for a full match. Several factors worked against the visitors. Desirée van Lunteren was suspended following her red card, heavy fog hovered over the pitch, and goalkeeper Netty Booms lost confidence early on, while her teammates squandered chance after chance.
Goalkeeper errors dominated the opening phase. Heerenveen took an early lead when Booms lost sight of the ball and failed to command her area, allowing Fenny Meijer to score opportunistically. AZ responded through Ellouzi from close range, with Heerenveen goalkeeper Badenhop also looking unconvincing. Meijer then struck again from distance, but Booms misjudged the power of the shot and let it slip through her hands.
A debatable foul by Badenhop gave AZ a chance to equalise from the spot, but Mol failed to convert. AZ continued to create opportunities and finally made it 2-2 in the 71st minute through Maudy Stoop.
Pushing for a winner, AZ were caught out in stoppage time. Heerenveen showed bravery and refused to show excessive respect for their opponent. Evi Maatman finished superbly, her jump and body position guiding the ball into the far corner. The quality of the strike made the victory feel deserved.
Heerenveen now move clear of the relegation zone in eighth place, while AZ are forced to look nervously over their shoulder if performances do not improve.
FC Utrecht 2-2 Hera United
Under Linda Helbling, FC Utrecht are developing a reputation as comeback specialists. Once again, they recovered from a 2-0 deficit, this time to draw with Hera United — just as they previously did against PEC Zwolle and AZ.
Utrecht’s recurring issue remains their lack of focus in the opening minutes. Goalkeeper Femke Bastiaen, who is enduring a highly inconsistent season, played a central role in Hera’s early goals. She failed to deal convincingly with Kyra’s shot for the 1–0 and shortly afterwards passed the ball straight to Hassani, who punished the error with clinical precision.
Trailing 2-0, Utrecht dominated possession and territory. Nikita Tromp orchestrated the attack with her calmness on the ball, spotting space for Sam de Jong, whose assist allowed Lobke Loonen to score the 1-2. With ten goals in all competitions, Loonen remains somewhat underrated, her consistency overshadowed by Utrecht’s defensive frailties.
Utrecht eventually secured a point through substitute Mahieu, again assisted by De Jong. While relegation fears are absent, the draw masks ongoing problems in goal and defence. The absence of Ilse van der Zanden, now excelling in Serie A with Fiorentina, is still clearly felt.
Hera United, strengthened by the additions of Bruins and Kaagman, will be satisfied with a point that keeps them ninth, just above the relegation zone. Upcoming fixtures against Heerenveen and NAC Breda promise to be decisive.
Feyenoord 1-0 Excelsior
Feyenoord claimed an unnecessarily tight but crucial victory on Sunday evening as Kirsten van de Westeringh’s goal secured a 1–0 win over city rivals Excelsior.
Jessica Torny’s side struggled to break down their opponents in the first half, despite creating chances, they missed a lot of them. The best opportunity came for Kirsten van de Westering who overhit the ball in front of goal.
Another big opportunity fell to debutant Tori DellaPeruta, who went through one-on-one after a fine solo run, only to shoot wide. The loanee from Fiorentina has joined her sisters’ team and looked very promising for the Rotterdammers.
The breakthrough came twenty minutes from time in spectacular fashion. Van de Westeringh unleashed a long-range effort from well outside the box, and the ball flew into the net.
The win keeps Feyenoord firmly in the top tier of the Eurojackpot Vrouwen Eredivisie. They are still contenders for European spots. They have the most international squad and Jessica Torny and technical manager Manon Melis are building towards something more European minded. This season a win over a team like Ajax, FC Twente or PSV is a ‘must’ to prove their worth at the top.
NAC Breda 1-0 ADO Den Haag
NAC Breda hosted a crucial relegation six-pointer against ADO Den Haag. From the opening whistle, tension was palpable.
The match didn’t have the most attractive style of play, but it sure was a very entertaining fight between two teams at the bottom of the table.. NAC thought they had taken an early lead in the fifth minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. At the other end, alert defending prevented ADO from scoring.
Brigitte Franken had the best chance of the first half, heading narrowly wide when left unmarked from a corner. ADO gradually took control but struggled to create clear-cut chances. After the break, they dominated possession, while NAC looked to counter. The pressure increased, but NAC goalkeeper Nikki de Haan produced a series of excellent saves.
With ten minutes of stoppage time added, the breakthrough finally came in the 92nd minute. ADO lost possession sloppily at the back, NAC countered at speed, and after a fortunate rebound, Josje Visser fired low into the right corner to seal the win.
NAC’s team spirit proved decisive, contrasting with ADO’s uncertainty.
The clubs’ difference in support structure also stood out: NAC played in front of a relatively large crowd in the main stadium, while ADO lacked a fully staffed technical bench. With seven points already on the board, NAC can be proud of their resilience.
Follow Jan for news about Dutch women’s football at www.fcleeuwinnen.nl.
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