Feyenoord Deny NOS Interview With Sem Steijn After 5-3 Defeat to Heerenveen
Feyenoord declined to make Sem Steijn available for an on-camera interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS after their dramatic 5-3 Eredivisie defeat to sc Heerenveen. The attacking midfielder had come off the bench to score a quick equaliser, but presenter Gert van ’t Hof said on Sunday’s Studio Sport Voetbal that the club would not allow the interview to go ahead.
“We wanted to interview Sem Steijn, who came on and scored quickly, but Feyenoord wouldn’t let us get him in front of the camera,” Van ’t Hof said during the programme’s post-match discussion. The decision drew attention because Steijn had made an immediate impact in a match that ultimately became one of the season’s most eventful Eredivisie fixtures.
Steijn makes an instant impact from the bench
Feyenoord arrived in Friesland hoping to take control of the contest, and the visitors initially appeared to be in a strong position after moving two goals ahead. But Heerenveen fought back, exposing weaknesses in Feyenoord’s defensive organisation and turning the match into a high-scoring battle.
By the time manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst introduced Steijn in the 65th minute, Feyenoord were trailing 3-2 after surrendering their advantage. The substitute needed only four minutes to make his mark. Nacho Ferri won a header and directed the ball into Steijn’s path, allowing the midfielder to finish emphatically and bring the score to 3-3.
It was a timely contribution for a player who has had limited opportunities since joining Feyenoord last summer. Steijn reportedly cost the Rotterdam club at least €10 million, but he has mostly had to settle for a place among the substitutes. Across the first 12 rounds of the Eredivisie season, he had played just 214 minutes before facing Heerenveen.
His goal offered a reminder of the attacking threat he can provide, particularly when arriving into dangerous areas around the penalty box. However, the equaliser did not prove to be a turning point for Feyenoord. Heerenveen responded strongly in the closing stages, with Ringo Meerveld scoring twice to complete his hat-trick and secure a memorable 5-3 victory.
Heerenveen punish Feyenoord’s defensive problems
The final score reflected a match in which Heerenveen repeatedly found ways to trouble Feyenoord, while the visitors struggled to regain control after their early lead. The home side’s persistence was rewarded with a comeback win, and Meerveld’s late goals ensured that the result was not left in doubt.
Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart was sharply critical of Feyenoord’s performance. He argued that the visitors had started poorly and questioned their intensity, even during the period when they were ahead. In his view, Feyenoord appeared passive and failed to close down their opponents effectively.
That assessment points to a broader concern for the Rotterdam side: a lead can offer little protection if a team loses its grip on the tempo and allows the opposition to build momentum. Against Heerenveen, Feyenoord’s attacking moments were not enough to compensate for the spaces and opportunities they conceded at the other end.
Former manager Ron Jans also believed Heerenveen were worthy winners. He singled out Meerveld’s decisive display, suggesting the forward’s performance would remain memorable for years. Completing a hat-trick in a comeback victory over a major Eredivisie opponent is a significant achievement—and one that could strengthen Meerveld’s standing with supporters and attract attention across Dutch football.
What the result could mean for Feyenoord
For Feyenoord, the defeat raises questions about defensive consistency and the team’s ability to respond when a match becomes chaotic. Conceding five goals after taking a two-goal lead is a damaging outcome, especially for a club expected to compete near the top of the Eredivisie. The coaching staff will need to examine how Heerenveen repeatedly found space and why Feyenoord could not slow the home side’s momentum.
Steijn’s role is another point of interest. His limited playing time contrasts with the reported transfer fee and the promise of his equalising goal. One appearance cannot determine his place in the team, but the match provides a useful reminder that substitutes can alter a game quickly. Whether Steijn earns more minutes will depend on training, tactical needs and the competition for attacking positions.
The club’s decision to prevent NOS from interviewing him also leaves an unanswered question about Feyenoord’s media approach after a difficult result. Clubs may choose to manage access following disappointing performances, but refusing an interview with a player who has just scored can invite additional scrutiny. Steijn’s goal was a rare positive moment for Feyenoord on a night dominated by the defeat.
Prediction: Feyenoord must show a response
Any prediction about Feyenoord’s next performance will depend on how quickly the team addresses the defensive issues exposed in Friesland. The squad has attacking quality, and Steijn’s contribution showed that the bench can provide useful options. But improved finishing alone will not be enough if Feyenoord continue to give opponents too much space or struggle to protect a lead.
Heerenveen, meanwhile, can take confidence from a victory built on persistence and clinical finishing. Meerveld’s hat-trick will understandably dominate the headlines, while the team’s recovery from a two-goal deficit offers a strong example of how belief and pressure can change a match.
For supporters following the Eredivisie, the 5-3 scoreline delivered goals, a comeback and a striking individual performance. For Feyenoord, it also created difficult questions—about defensive discipline, Steijn’s opportunities and the club’s response after the final whistle. The next matches will show whether this defeat becomes a brief setback or a warning that deeper adjustments are needed.
