Dirk Kuyt failed to end his former club's lengthy (and by now existential) wait for a league title, but he has now pulled off the trick at his hometown club. Kuyt left Feyenoord for Liverpool in 2007 - swapping De Kuip for The Kop - but has now returned to Holland, via a spell in turkey with Fenerbache.
Feyenoord have not won the Dutch title in eighteen years, but began the final round of games today a point clear of Ajax, knowing that a win at home to Heracles would seal a first title since the turn of the millennium.
They were bound to be nervy, however: not just the weight of history, but also their failure to seal the league last weekend: a win away to Excelsior would have won the title, but instead, they got wallopped 3-0.
Kuyt was on hand to steady the nerves, however, and opened the scoring in the very first minute:
Dirk Kuyt
And eleven minutes later, he made it 2-0, with this delightful header:
Dirk Kuyt
Gloriously, Kuyt then sealed the league from the penalty spot, completing his hat-trick.
Dirk Kuyt
The game finished 3-1, and the scenes among thousands of fans were incredible:
SCENES: Kuyt's hat-trick, Feyenoord go crazy pic.twitter.com/i0CRZpD6ag
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) May 14, 2017
Ajax held up their end of the deal, beating Willem II away from home 3-1. In that game, they picked the youngest starting XI in the history of the Eredivisie.
Ajax have named the youngest-ever starting XI in Eredivisie history.
Average age: 20 years, 139 days.
👶 pic.twitter.com/fUGsuDXrnC— Squawka (@Squawka) May 14, 2017
Despite their victory, it wasn't enough, but the Europa League still offers them another shot at silverware.
For all their youthful brilliance, however, the domestic season belongs to Feyenoord. Secured, as it has been, by the eternal big-game temperament of Kuyt.
Oh, and his first goal was his 100th for the club. 14 years separated his first and hundredth goal. Magical.
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