FC Dordrecht is on the cusp of a significant achievement in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, securing a crucial victory against FC Emmen on Friday night. The 1-0 win, coupled with dropped points from key rivals, positions Dirk Kuyt’s side favorably in the race for the third period title. With two matches remaining in the period, Dordrecht holds a strong advantage.
The decisive goal came from Stéphano Carrillo, a young forward on loan from Feyenoord. Shortly after the restart, Carrillo found the back of the net with a shot into the far corner, assisted by Yoon Doyoung. It marked his third goal of the season, a welcome return to form for the Mexican after a scoreless first half of the campaign.
Dordrecht’s defensive solidity was also noteworthy, with another strong performance from Feyenoord loanee Jan Plug. The central defender provided stability at the back, limiting opportunities for the visiting Emmen side. Goalkeeper Celton Biai was also crucial, making key saves in the closing stages to preserve the lead.
Following the match, Kuyt praised his team’s collective strength and deserved victory. “The last few weeks all my forwards have been scoring, everyone is involved in the goals,” the coach stated. “You know somewhere that if you keep the pressure on, the goal will fall. We would have liked to have made a second and third, and that was hanging in the air a bit, but we didn’t manage it. Then it’s very nice that you have a lot of control in defending.”
This victory extends FC Dordrecht’s unbeaten run to six matches, with five consecutive wins. Importantly, competitors Almere City, RKC Waalwijk, and Jong PSV all failed to secure points. Willem II and SC Cambuur remain threats, although Cambuur has already secured a period title. If Dordrecht wins their upcoming matches against Jong Ajax and Jong PSV, they will guarantee a place in the promotion playoffs. The contributions of Carrillo, with his recent scoring form, and Plug, as a consistent presence in defense, are proving vital in this promotion push.
The loan arrangement between Feyenoord and Dordrecht is clearly proving mutually beneficial. Feyenoord, as noted in a Reddit discussion from May 9, 2025, often loans players to Dordrecht to provide them with valuable development opportunities. This current situation exemplifies that strategy, with both Carrillo and Plug gaining crucial playing time and contributing significantly to Dordrecht’s success. Plug, who recently extended his contract with Feyenoord until mid-2028, joined the Feyenoord Academy as a 12-year-old and made his first-team debut in May 2025. He even featured in a recent Europa League match against Real Betis, demonstrating his progress and potential.
Feyenoord’s commitment to developing young talent is further underscored by the loan of Jan Plug, announced on February 2, 2026. The club clearly sees value in providing Plug with regular first-team football, allowing him to hone his skills and gain experience. This loan move allows Plug to build on his eight official appearances this season, including a half-hour in the Europa League.
Looking back, a friendly match between the two sides on July 6, 2024, saw Feyenoord convincingly defeat Dordrecht 4-0, with goals from Stengs, Ueda, Nieuwkoop, and Sebaoui. While a friendly provides a different context than a competitive league match, it highlights the clear difference in squad depth and quality between the two clubs. However, Dordrecht’s current form suggests they are rapidly closing that gap, particularly with the added impetus provided by their Feyenoord loanees.
The head-to-head record between Dordrecht and Feyenoord, spanning three meetings, favors Feyenoord with three wins to Dordrecht’s zero, and no draws. Dordrecht has scored only one goal in those matches, while Feyenoord has found the net seven times. However, these statistics largely reflect previous encounters and do not fully capture Dordrecht’s recent improvement and the impact of their strengthened squad.
As Dordrecht enters the final stretch of the period, the pressure will undoubtedly mount. However, with Carrillo’s goals, Plug’s defensive stability, and Kuyt’s tactical guidance, they are well-positioned to achieve their goal of promotion. The continued success of the Feyenoord loan system will be a key factor in determining whether Dordrecht can overcome the challenges ahead and secure a place in the Eredivisie.
