ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS — The floodlights illuminated De Kuip on a crisp January evening as Feyenoord Rotterdam delivered a statement performance, dismantling SK Sturm Graz 3-0 to breathe life into their Europa League campaign. Tsuyoshi Watanabe's early header set the foundation before second-half strikes from Anis Hadj Moussa and Gonçalo Borges sealed a comprehensive victory that the home faithful had been craving.
The atmosphere inside the iconic stadium was electric from the opening whistle, and the crowd barely had time to settle before Watanabe gave them reason to roar. Just five minutes in, the Japanese defender rose majestically to meet Anis Hadj Moussa's perfectly delivered corner, powering a header into the top left corner past the helpless Daniil Khudyakov. The early breakthrough settled any nerves and allowed Feyenoord to dictate proceedings with confidence.
Feyenoord controlled 59.9% of possession throughout, pinning the Austrian visitors back for long stretches and launching wave after wave of attacks. The home side's dominance was reflected in the shot count, with 18 attempts compared to Sturm Graz's meager 4. Ayase Ueda came agonizingly close to doubling the lead in the 43rd minute, his header from six yards out whistling just wide after another dangerous Hadj Moussa cross. The Japanese striker was a constant menace, using his physical presence to unsettle the Sturm Graz backline.
The Austrian side's best moment came in the 68th minute when Otar Kiteishvili unleashed a left-footed effort from distance, but Timon Wellenreuther was equal to the task, saving comfortably in the center of his goal. That brief threat proved to be the catalyst for Feyenoord's second goal, which arrived moments later through a devastating counter-attack. Sem Steijn, who had been pulling strings in midfield all evening, released Hadj Moussa with a perfectly weighted pass. The Algerian winger showed composure beyond his years, slotting a left-footed finish into the bottom right corner to double the advantage.
The goal sparked jubilant celebrations in the stands and effectively killed off any hopes of a Sturm Graz comeback. Feyenoord continued to press, with Hwang In-Beom orchestrating play from the center of the park. The South Korean midfielder saw a long-range effort sail just wide in the 65th minute, part of a sustained period of pressure that saw the hosts register multiple blocked attempts. Khudyakov was forced into action again in the 78th minute, saving Leo Sauer's effort from the center of the box after excellent work from Gonçalo Borges.
The Portuguese winger had been a thorn in Sturm Graz's side throughout, using his pace and trickery to torment the Austrian defense down the right flank. His persistence was rewarded in stoppage time when he applied the finishing touch to a clinical counter-attack. Shaqueel van Persie, introduced as a substitute, provided the assist as Borges tapped home from very close range to make it 3-0 and cap a dominant display.
The statistics painted a picture of complete control. Feyenoord registered six shots on target compared to Sturm Graz's two, while also winning the corner count 5-2. The match was played in a relatively disciplined manner, with two yellow cards shown to the home side and one to the visitors among the 25 fouls committed. Jordan Lotomba and Tsuyoshi Watanabe were particularly impressive defensively, snuffing out danger whenever Sturm Graz attempted to venture forward.
Manager substitutions told the story of the match's flow. Feyenoord made five changes, introducing fresh legs to maintain their intensity, while Sturm Graz's five substitutions smacked of desperation as they searched in vain for a route back into the contest. Jon Gorenc Stankovic battled manfully in midfield for the visitors, winning several free kicks, but his side simply couldn't cope with Feyenoord's superior quality and organization.
The victory represents a crucial three points for Feyenoord, who now sit on 6 points in 30th place in the Europa League standings. For Sturm Graz, languishing in 28th with 4 points, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The Austrian side's defensive frailties were exposed ruthlessly, and they'll need a dramatic improvement if they're to salvage anything from this campaign.
The home crowd departed into the Rotterdam night with renewed optimism, having witnessed their team deliver the kind of performance that suggests better days lie ahead. The combination of Watanabe's aerial prowess, Hadj Moussa's creativity, and Borges' directness proved too potent for the visitors to handle. With Hwang In-Beom dictating tempo and Ayase Ueda providing a focal point, Feyenoord looked every inch a side capable of progressing in this competition.
Feyenoord will look to carry this momentum into their clash with Heracles Almelo on January 25, while SK Sturm Graz face the daunting task of regrouping before hosting SK Brann on January 29.