By Jan-Kees Joosse (3/2/26)
Above: HERA United celebrate an unlikely win over Ajax. Photo: Vrouwen Eredivisie website.
The thirteenth round of the women’s Eredivisie saw title contenders slip up, unlikely wins and the bottom of the table getting tighter.
Ajax 1-2 HERA United
A city derby has emerged following Hera United’s win over Ajax. While everyone had expected an easy victory for Ajax, they were left disappointed when the final whistle blew. HERA widened the relegation gap with NAC Breda, and Ajax lost their top spot.
The Ajax women started strongly on Sunday afternoon, creating numerous chances in the first half-hour. It seemed only a matter of time before they took the lead, which came in the 39th minute when striker Danique Tolhoek headed Ajax ahead 1-0.
Just before halftime, HERA equalized after a cross from Lieke Vis was deflected off Jonna van de Velde. An own goal dealt Ajax a blow going into the break. Despite Ajax pressing after the interval, they were mainly unlucky against the efficiency of the visitors. In the 58th minute, goalkeeper Kelly Steen launched a counter with a brilliant kick, allowing substitute Ina Booms to calmly score the 1-2.
HERA’s win is impressive, especially because the city derby, according to Ajax coach Anouk Bruijl, had not yet fully resonated with the Ajax players. It was likely very different for HERA. They are becoming an increasingly strong team in the Eredivisie, not easily beaten – a positive sign for women’s football fans. The level is rising, and Ajax’s talents may have underestimated this. This could be a crucial moment in the title race, setting the stage for future rivalries in Amsterdam.
Ajax simply had no luck in this match. There is little to criticize about their play; the only area for improvement is finishing games with scrappy goals. Forcing outcomes is not yet familiar to the Amsterdam squad, a consequence of Ajax’s policy of developing youth in the Eredivisie. Whether this approach remains sustainable will largely become clear next season, when Ajax faces top teams more regularly.
Feyenoord 2-2 PSV
Undoubtedly favourites for this game, PSV took a 0-2 lead after twenty minutes, but Feyenoord fought back and scored the equalizer in the 98th minute. That there was even time for a comeback was remarkable.
PSV struck early in Rotterdam. Liz Rijsbergen showcased her pace, scoring after a quick counter, reminiscent of Kerolin’s 3-0 goal against Chelsea. PSV werethe more confident team in the first half. Lore Jacobs quickly finished a strong PSV attack, converting a precise cross from Liz Rijsbergen with class! With an early lead, it seemed like a walk in the park.
Feyenoord proved resilient and reduced the deficit before halftime through Esmee de Graaf, giving them hope for the rest of the match. This hope was largely thanks to the referee, who allowed six minutes of added time and continued play after short injury treatments. In the extra two minutes, Obispo finished a foul to make it 2-2.
Feyenoord celebrated the goal like a victory, though their weaknesses against top teams remain apparent. PSV was visibly frustrated in added time by the referee’s decisions and a dangerous cross from Itamura, handing away the three points. Captain Fleur Strik was furious and criticized the referee for letting the match get out of hand, allowing too many fouls and extending added time unnecessarily.
Twente 3-0 Excelsior
FC Twente beat Excelsior 3-0, having already defeated them earlier in the week in the cup. This victory moved Twente to the top of the table, overtaking Ajax with a game in hand. Excelsior, now in the relegation zone, is showing increasing uncertainty with each game.
From the first whistle, FC Twente took control. Excelsior were immediately put under pressure, struggling to play out from the Twente press. Early turnovers led to dangerous chances for the home side. In the 11th minute, the opener came from a well-taken corner by Charlotte Hulst, with Alieke Tuin reacting sharply to score 1-0.
The goal did not change the game’s dynamics. Excelsior remained insecure on the ball, continually allowing Twente to press quickly. This led to the second goal in the 19th minute, when Jaimy Ravensbergen capitalized on sloppy defending and calmly finished. Twente continued to dominate, and in first-half injury time, Lynn Groenewegen made it 3-0, giving the home side a comfortable lead at halftime.
Twente saw out the match professionally, securing the win without problems. Combined with other results, Corina Dekker’s side climbs to the top of the Eurojackpot Women’s Eredivisie. Excelsior, meanwhile, are left worrying about their troubling form and recurring uncertainty reminiscent of old patterns.
PEC Zwolle 2-0 AZ
This season, PEC Zwolle Women have shown how much a strong coach can influence results. Last year, the team underperformed, but under Gert Peter de Gunst, they have become one of the positive surprises of the Eurojackpot Women’s Eredivisie. With clear principles, confidence, and organization, PEC consistently win, even against teams around them in the standings.
PEC Zwolle deservedly beat AZ 2-0. After a balanced opening, the home side took the initiative. Britt Udink opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a fine goal. AZ had a late chance before halftime, but Sabrine Ellouzi’s goal was ruled offside. After the break, PEC scored again via Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir, effectively deciding the match.
With 27 points from 13 matches, PEC remains competitive in the upper mid-table, exceeding expectations. AZ, however, face serious challenges, sitting eighth with 12 points while HERA lurk with 11. The relegation battle is becoming increasingly prominent.
Heerenveen 4-1 ADO Den Haag
SC Heerenveen Women continue to impress in the Eurojackpot Women’s Eredivisie. Their 4-1 win over ADO Den Haag confirms the team is in excellent form. Where they previously conceded goals easily, luck is now consistently on their side. Their growing confidence is evident in their attacking play: decisive, brave, and self-assured, making their outlook notably positive.
Heerenveen started strong, taking the lead after just 12 minutes. A cross from the right was poorly handled by goalkeeper Barbara Lorsheyd, allowing Evi Maatman to tap in. Two minutes later, ADO equalized due to sloppy buildup, with Anne van Egmond scoring a beautiful lob. Heerenveen, however, stayed composed, pressing and going into halftime 2-1 ahead after a rebound finished by Lisanne Venema.
After the break, ADO sought an equalizer, but Jet van Mierlo’s goal was ruled offside. Heerenveen immediately countered; following a saved shot by Elfi Maass, Aymee Altena was alert to score on the rebound for 3-1. In the final stages, Heerenveen kept pressing, hitting the frame twice, and Romaissa Boukakar sealed the 4-1 victory in injury time.
ADO Den Haag’s problems are structural. The team performs like a relegation side, but the off-field situation is even more concerning. The women’s team seems low-priority within the club, which focuses on promoting the men’s team. Coaches without proper licenses, departing players, and lack of vision paint a worrying picture for a club that was once a founding pillar of the Women’s Eredivisie.
Utrecht 1-0 NAC Breda
FC Utrecht Women secured a professional 1-0 win over NAC Breda, but the victory barely masked the unrest within the team. Play looked strained, with defense and buildup poorly coordinated. The team lacked cohesion, visible in body language, and Lobke Loonen left the field frustrated – a symbol of a squad struggling with itself. The question arises: is it a lack of quality and experience, or poor preparation and coordination? Mistakes continue to repeat, worrying Utrecht fans.
After NAC’s painful loss to PEC Zwolle last week, FC Utrecht started strong. The home team pressed early, won many second balls, and kept NAC pinned in their own half. Yet this dominance yielded little real control. Loonen had the biggest chance, shooting with the outside of her foot after 25 minutes, only to be denied by goalkeeper Nikki de Haan.
Midway through the first half, NAC improved. Brigitte Franken had a big chance, and Stephanie Coelho Aurélio set up Emely van der Vliet before halftime, but without success. NAC continued pressing after the break, creating several good chances, including a set-piece straight at the goalkeeper. They lacked decisiveness.
In the 76th minute, the match was decided at the other end. After a sharp moment by Snellenberg, Nikita Tromp displayed her class, volleying a cross from the left into the net. A goal from nowhere, against the run of play. NAC continued to press but came away empty-handed again. The fight for survival continues, with Ajax the next obstacle.
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