Sports

Valentine Driessen criticizes Eredivisie clubs over KNVB Cup approach

Valentine Driessen said the KNVB Cup had regained its traditional appeal after several upsets in the previous three days. He cited Excelsior ’31’s reported elimination of Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag in Rijssen and Genemuiden’s reported victory over FC Dordrecht, with both amateur sides from the Third Division. He also mentioned Fleetwood Town’s reported elimination of reigning champions Arsenal in the EFL Cup.

Driessen described Eredivisie clubs as hypocritical for not taking the KNVB Cup seriously. The account did not provide further details about the clubs’ responses or the competition’s status.

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Sports

Football podcast discussed Dutch clubs and national teams

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A series of episodes of the football podcast Kick-off examined the Dutch national team, the Netherlands Under-21 side and leading Eredivisie clubs. Valentijn Driessen, Mike Verweij, Jeroen Kapteijns, Marcel van der Kraan, Steven Kooijman and Pim Sedee discussed coach Xavi’s tactics, the workload and injuries affecting internationals, and possible roles for players including Jorrel Hato and Mexx Meerdink. They also addressed Feyenoord’s European and domestic form, PSV’s Champions League prospects, and Ajax’s results, coaching situation and squad planning. The discussions included criticism of refereeing and VAR decisions, debate over youth development and rules in football, and assessments of figures such as Clarence Seedorf, Wout Weghorst and Manchester United’s leadership. The latest episode focused on Ajax under Míchel Sánchez and which eleven players should form the team, with particular attention to striker Tolu and the reported need to secure Abdellah Ouazane’s future. No final team selection was established.

Sports

Feyenoord beat AZ to take Eredivisie lead

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Feyenoord beat AZ 2-0 at De Kuip to move above the Alkmaar side into first place in the Eredivisie, with a one-point lead over AZ and PSV. Nacho Ferri opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a mistake by Wouter Goes, and Javi López scored from a corner in the 59th minute. AZ suffered its first league defeat of the season. AZ were awarded a penalty shortly before half-time after Mexx Meerdink went down following an incident with goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, but referee Danny Makkelie overturned the decision after a VAR review. Meerdink disputed the reversal, while AZ coach Leeroy Echteld declined to dwell on it after the match. Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst said the win over a direct rival mattered more than taking first place.