Rotterdam – Feyenoord tightened their grip on second place in the Eredivisie with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Telstar on Sunday, fueled by a brace from winger Anis Hadj Moussa. The win at De Kuip wasn’t without early drama, as Telstar took a surprise lead, but Feyenoord responded decisively thanks to the Algerian’s clinical finishing.
The visitors shocked the home crowd, taking the lead in the 14th minute through Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp. Ritmeester van de Kamp skillfully evaded two defenders before slotting a composed finish past Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. The goal momentarily silenced the De Kuip faithful, forcing Feyenoord to recalibrate their approach.
However, the response from Robin van Persie’s side was swift and incisive. Hadj Moussa leveled the score in the 30th minute, connecting with a cross from Jordan Bos. He controlled the ball with his thigh, creating space before unleashing a low drive that Telstar’s goalkeeper, Ronald Koeman, couldn’t reach. The goal injected renewed energy into the Feyenoord attack and ignited the home support.
Just nine minutes later, the duo combined again to put Feyenoord ahead. Bos once more delivered a pinpoint cross, and Hadj Moussa met it with a well-placed, first-time finish from the edge of the penalty area. The Algerian’s quick-fire double turned the game on its head and established Feyenoord’s control.
Despite Feyenoord’s dominance in the first half, Telstar proved resilient after the break. Wellenreuther was called into action, making a crucial save to deny Nokkvi Thorisson. Feyenoord continued to press for a third goal, with Ayase Ueda and Jakub Moder both coming close, but the score remained 2-1.
The second half also marked the highly anticipated debut of new signing Raheem Sterling. Introduced in the 60th minute to a roaring reception from the Rotterdam crowd, the former Manchester City winger will be looking to make an immediate impact. While he didn’t directly contribute to the scoring on Sunday, his arrival signals Feyenoord’s ambition to strengthen their squad and challenge for the title.
Hadj Moussa’s performance was the defining feature of the match. His two goals not only secured the victory for Feyenoord but also brought his season tally to 11 goals across all competitions. His burgeoning partnership with Jordan Bos on the left flank is proving to be a potent attacking threat for Van Persie’s team.
The win allows Feyenoord to consolidate their position in second place in the Eredivisie standings, remaining firmly in contention for the championship. They trail league leaders PSV, but continue to apply pressure at the top of the table. Telstar, despite the defeat, demonstrated their competitive spirit and will look to build on their performance in upcoming fixtures.
Feyenoord’s ability to overcome an early setback and respond with such attacking fluency underscores their quality and resilience. With Sterling now integrated into the squad, Van Persie will be hoping to unlock even greater attacking potential as the season progresses. The team’s focus will now turn to their next Eredivisie encounter, where they will aim to maintain their momentum and close the gap on PSV.
The match also highlighted the importance of set-piece delivery and clinical finishing. Bos’s two assists were testament to his crossing ability, while Hadj Moussa’s composure in front of goal proved decisive. These are areas that Feyenoord will undoubtedly continue to refine as they strive for success on all fronts.
