Netherlands round-up: Feyenoord beaten by De Graafschap
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Article summary
Feyenoord's hopes of a place in next season's UEFA Champions League have suffered a blow.
Article body
UEFA Cup finalists Feyenoord's hopes of a place in next season's UEFA Champions League were dealt a blow as they lost 1-0 to De Graafschap.
Anxious times
Ruslan Valeev struck the only goal of the game after 66 minutes to boost the hosts' bid to avoid the drop. De Graafschap now lie three points above the relegation play-off places with two games remaining. Bert van Marwijk's Feyenoord, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualifying slot, are now looking anxiously over their shoulders at SC Heerenveen, who are just one point behind them.
Valeev goal
Title hopes over
The loss also ended any faint hopes the third-placed Rotterdam side had of being crowned Eredivsie champions as it leaves them seven points behind leaders AFC Ajax with just two games remaining. Only second-placed PSV Eindhoven, who are three points off the summit, can now deny Ajax the title.
UEFA Cup final
Feyenoord host BV Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Cup final at the Feijenoord stadium on 8 May.
