Groningen 0-1 Feyenoord Player Ratings: Tsuyoshi Watanabe Rated 8/10 as Ayase Ueda Header Seals Narrow 1-0 Victory

In a tense Eredivisie encounter, Feyenoord ground out a crucial 1-0 away victory against a resilient FC Groningen. The match, which felt like a chess game for long periods, was ultimately decided by a single moment of quality. From our perspective, it was a classic case of an away team doing just enough to get the job done.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half. Ayase Ueda rose highest to head home a perfect cross from Jordan Bos in the 50th minute. It was a goal that felt decisive the moment the ball hit the net. FC Groningen battled hard, creating several chances of their own but found the opposition goalkeeper in inspired form.

What stood out to us was the defensive discipline of Feyenoord, particularly in the latter stages of the match. They absorbed pressure well, with every player contributing to the clean sheet. It wasn't a thriller by any means, but it was a fascinating tactical battle that saw the visitors emerge with three valuable points.

Here are the Groningen Vs Feyenoord Player Ratings

Feyenoord Player Ratings vs Groningen

Here are Feyenoord Player Ratings vs Groningen

Goalkeeper

Timon Wellenreuther - 7.5: A really commanding performance from the keeper. He made 5 crucial saves, including a few sharp stops from inside the box. What stood out to us was his confidence in claiming high balls. He controlled his area well. The late yellow card for time-wasting was a bit silly, but it showed his desire to see out the win. He was vital to securing the clean sheet.

Defenders

Tsuyoshi Watanabe - 8.0: A monster at the back. He won every single one of his 7 duels, made 9 clearances, and had 5 tackles. We noticed his incredible last-man tackle which was a game-saver. He was composed on the ball and almost impossible to get past. A genuine Man of the Match contender, his performance was immense.

Jordan Bos - 8.0: Absolutely fantastic down the left flank. He provided the pin-point cross for the winning goal, a moment of real quality. Defensively he was also superb, winning 9 duels and making 8 clearances. He even got a shot on target himself. His energy was infectious, and he was a constant threat going forward and a rock at the back.

Givairo Read - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, performance before being substituted. He was tidy in possession with a 91% pass accuracy. He didn't do much wrong defensively but also didn't offer the same threat as Bos on the other side. A solid shift for the team.

Malcolm Jeng - 6.5: Only played the first half before being forced off with an injury. He looked comfortable on the ball, completing 44 passes. However, he wasn't really tested to a great extent. It’s hard to give a full rating, but he was doing his job effectively before his withdrawal.

Midfielders

Quinten Timber - 6.5: A typically busy performance in the middle of the park. He showed good energy and recovered the ball a few times. However, from our perspective, he was a little loose in possession, giving it away 11 times. He worked hard for the team but lacked a bit of the final product on the day.

Leo Sauer - 6.5: A frustrating day for the midfielder. He was a willing runner and got into some good positions but was caught offside twice. He was unlucky to hit the woodwork. He showed flashes of what he can do but the end product just wasn't there in this game.

Anis Hadj Moussa - 7.0: He was the main creative spark for Feyenoord, creating 3 chances. He looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball. However, his final delivery from 8 crosses was poor, with only one finding its target. A good performance that could have been great with a bit more precision.

Oussama Targhalline - 7.0: A real destroyer in midfield. He was fantastic in the duel, winning 7 of 11, and made 5 crucial tackles. We noticed how he broke up play consistently, frustrating the Groningen midfield. He provided the steel that allowed others to play. A very effective, understated performance.

Luciano Valente - 7.0: Kept things ticking over nicely in midfield. He was great at driving with the ball, completing 3 successful dribbles, and created two chances for his teammates. He was always looking to make things happen. A positive and influential display before he was substituted late on.

Forwards

Ayase Ueda - 8.0: The match-winner. He was a constant nuisance for the defenders, winning 5 aerial duels. He took his goal brilliantly with a powerful header. Beyond the goal, his work rate was excellent and he linked up play well. When his team needed a moment of magic, he delivered it. That's the sign of a top striker.

Substitutes

Gijs Smal - 6.5: Came on at halftime and slotted in seamlessly at the back. Kept it simple and helped see out the clean sheet.
Bart Nieuwkoop - 6.0: Replaced Read and provided fresh legs on the right side of defense.
Cyle Larin - 6.0: Had one shot saved late on but didn't have much time to make a huge impact.
Aymen Sliti - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.
Hwang In-Beom - N/A: Brought on to see the game out in the final minutes.

Manager

R. van Persie - 7.5: His game plan worked perfectly. He set his team up to be defensively solid and to take their chance when it came. The substitutions were sensible, aimed at managing the game and securing the win. A professional away performance masterminded by the manager.

Groningen Player Ratings vs Feyenoord

Here are Groningen Player Ratings vs Feyenoord

Goalkeeper

Etienne Vaessen - 7.5: He can hold his head high despite the loss. He made 4 saves, including some really sharp stops to keep his team in the game. From our perspective, there was nothing he could do about the goal. He was a reliable presence and commanded his box well with two high claims.

Defenders

Thijmen Blokzijl - 6.5: A solid enough outing. He was very tidy with his passing, which was impressive. However, he struggled a bit in his physical duels, winning only 2 of 5. He made some important clearances but was part of a defence that was ultimately breached.

Dies Janse - 6.5: A mixed bag for the central defender. He made 6 clearances and was strong in some challenges. But he struggled mightily in the air against Ueda, losing 6 of his 9 aerial duels. That aerial battle was where the game was lost, unfortunately for him.

Marco Rente - N/A: Heartbreak for the defender, who was forced off with an injury after just 3 minutes. Not enough time to make any kind of rating.

Marvin Peersman - 7.0: A very creative force from a defensive position. He created an impressive 4 chances for his teammates and was always looking to get the ball forward. He was caught offside a couple of times, which was frustrating, but his intent was always positive. A good performance.

Midfielders

Stije Resink - 6.5: The captain put in a decent shift. He kept the ball moving with high pass accuracy and was combative enough. However, he didn't really impose himself on the game or create much in the final third. A solid, if unremarkable, performance from the skipper.

Tika de Jonge - 6.5: Had a couple of shots that went off target. He was neat and tidy on the ball for the most part. He worked hard but was another player who just couldn't find that killer pass or finish. Substituted after 69 minutes.

Jorg Schreuders - 6.5: An active and energetic performance before he was forced off with an injury. He had three shots, showing a willingness to get into attacking areas. He was a bit wasteful in possession at times, but his energy was missed after he went off.

David van der Werff - 7.0: Looked like one of the most likely players to make something happen for Groningen. He tested the keeper with two shots on target and created two chances. He was also tenacious, winning 5 duels and making 4 tackles. A very lively and impressive display.

Forwards

Younes Taha - 6.0: A really difficult day for the attacker. He lost possession a staggering 15 times and struggled to get involved in the game. While he did create two chances, his overall contribution was minimal and he was often on the periphery of the action. A performance to forget.

Thom van Bergen - 6.5: He worked tirelessly up front and was a physical presence. He had two shots on target, forcing good saves from the keeper. But he lost the ball far too often, being dispossessed 3 times. A lot of effort, but not much end product.

Substitutes

Tyrique Mercera - 6.0: Came on early for the injured Rente and had a tough task. Didn't do much wrong.
Mats Seuntjens - 6.0: Brought on to add some experience but couldn't change the game's outcome.
Tygo Land - 6.0: Got a yellow card shortly after coming on. Showed some fight.
Mark Hoekstra - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.
Rui Mendes - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

D. Lukkien - 6.5: His team was well-organized and fought hard. They were unlucky with injuries and just lacked that bit of quality in the final third. He can be proud of the effort, but tactically they couldn't find a way to break down a stubborn Feyenoord defence.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Tsuyoshi Watanabe