Match against Feyenoord results in one point
Based on a tremendous effort and the absolute determination to achieve a result, Fortuna concluded their away match against Feyenoord on Sunday afternoon with a point: 0-0.
Head coach Danny Buijs had granted starting positions to newcomers Loreintz Rosier and Alen Halilovic. As the second half progressed, a third player, Mitchell Dijks, made his official debut for Fortuna. The home team dominated possession in the first half, while the Rotterdam team struggled to create clear-cut chances. Only winger Igor Paixao came close to scoring twice with his head, both times following setups by Bart Nieuwkoop.
Feyenoord's right-wing defender received a yellow card from referee Dieperink after 25 minutes of play, following a foul on Inigo Córdoba. Shortly thereafter, with VAR intervention, the referee changed the yellow card to red, reducing Feyenoord to ten men. Eight minutes before halftime, Paul Gladon had a great opportunity to put the guests ahead, but facing goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, the Dutch national team goalie remained composed. In the closing minutes, Paixao once again produced a dangerous move, but his shot missed the target.
Early in the second half, Fortuna had another significant chance. Tijjani Noslin broke through dangerously on the right wing, but his powerful shot was once again captured by Bijlow. Ten minutes into the second half, the home crowd's spirits lifted. Referee Dieperink awarded Feyenoord a penalty after a foul by Rodrigo Guth on Santiago Giménez. However, VAR corrected this decision as the foul had apparently occurred just outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick yielded nothing.
The best chance for the opening goal came eleven minutes before the end, as Cordoba had a clear opportunity. A back pass from Lutsharel Geertruida to his own goalkeeper initially seemed harmless, but that changed when Bijlow slipped. Cordoba, advancing, shot from about 18 meters toward the empty goal, and with a tremendous effort, defender Thomas Beelen prevented a goal. Feyenoord continued to press for the winning goal, and in extra time, Fortuna goalkeeper Ivor Pandur had to make a full-stretch save after a splendid shot from Alireza Jahanbakhsh. All in all, a result that left Fortuna particularly content.
Line-up: Pandur, Pinto, Guth, Siovas, Vita ('60 Dijks), Noslin, Rosier (74' Özyakup), Córdoba, Duarte, Halilovic (85' Ferati), Gladon.