Feyenoord Beats Telstar 2-1: Sterling Debuts & Extends Lead

Feyenoord extended their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to five points with a 2-1 victory over Telstar on February 22, 2026. The win came on the same day that both Ajax and NEC drew, allowing Feyenoord to capitalize on their rivals’ results. The match also marked the debut of English international Raheem Sterling for the Rotterdam club.

A Tactical Shift and Early Pressure

Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie opted for an unconventional lineup, deploying left-back Jordan Bos on the left wing. This tactical decision quickly proved insightful, as Bos created an early opportunity for Luciano Valente, leading to a corner kick and a header from Tsuyoshi Watanabe that was cleared off the line by Jeff Hardeveld.

Telstar Takes the Lead

Despite Feyenoord’s early pressure, it was Telstar who broke the deadlock first. Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp scored in the 15th minute with a well-placed shot, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Prior to the goal, Ayase Ueda, Feyenoord’s top scorer with eighteen goals, had a chance to equalize but shot just wide.

Did You Know? Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Telstar.

Feyenoord Responds with Two Goals

Feyenoord responded before halftime, with Anis Hadj Moussa leveling the score after the Telstar goalkeeper, Ronald Koeman, failed to keep out his shot. Shortly after, Hadj Moussa scored again, putting Feyenoord ahead 2-1. Timon Wellenreuther, Feyenoord’s goalkeeper, was crucial in preserving the lead, making several key saves against Nökkvi Thórisson.

Second-Half Adjustments and Sterling’s Debut

The second half saw changes for Feyenoord, with both Jordan Bos and Anel Ahmedhodzic being substituted. Gijs Smal then took up the left wing position. In the 60th minute, Raheem Sterling made his debut, entering the match alongside Casper Tengstedt, replacing Ueda and Smal.

Expert Insight: Van Persie’s willingness to experiment with player positioning, as seen with Bos on the wing, demonstrates a proactive approach to finding tactical advantages and exploiting opponent weaknesses. This flexibility could be a key asset as the season progresses.

Despite Sterling’s introduction, Telstar continued to press for an equalizer. Tyrese Noslin had a late opportunity, but his shot went off target. Wellenreuther was forced to make further saves in added time to secure the victory for Feyenoord.

Club Leadership Change

Alongside the on-field action, Feyenoord announced the immediate departure of Sjaak Troost from the Raad van Commissarissen (Board of Commissioners). Troost, who served as a commissioner for seven years, cited a desire for a change and acknowledged responsibility for recent performance shortfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the match?

The final score was Feyenoord 2 – 1 Telstar.

Who scored the goals for Feyenoord?

Anis Hadj Moussa scored both goals for Feyenoord.

Who scored for Telstar?

Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp scored the lone goal for Telstar.

With Feyenoord now five points clear, how might their rivals respond in the coming weeks to close the gap at the top of the Eredivisie?

Feyenoord Beats Telstar 2-1: Sterling Debuts & Extends Lead | NOS Football