Roy Makaay leads the way!

The Leon Vlemmings era at Feyenoord is finishing with a flourish as de Rotterdammers beat Heracles Almelo 5-1. This sets up a dramatic closing four matches with a clear shot at a Europa League playoff spot.

Roy Makaay continued where he left off with three goals, the first coming three minutes in as after a mix-up with the Heracles 'keeper Jørg van Nieuwenhuyzen collided with defender Emmanuel Boakye the ball came free to Georginio Wijnaldum outside the area. A quick cross in by Wijnaldum was nodded in by the veteran for the 1-0 lead. Twenty minute later the veteran added his second as he closed out Wijnaldum's provision following a nice series of linkups with Luigi Bruins. Bas Dost closed the gap four minutes after the half-hour as he sent a close range rebound. In well control of the match the veteran Makaay drove another in the net, this from the spot just before the hour after Belgian international Birger Maertens was adjudged to fouling Georginio Wijnaldum in the area. Denny Landzaat adding the fourth from a free-kick twenty-five metres out in a slick deceptive play. As Het Legioen roared and Makaay stood before the ball, everyone seemed ready for the veteran to make a go at his fourth. However he carefully side-stepped the ball as Denny Landzaat turned and sent the ball in. Makaay was provider of the final goal which came five minutes later. As Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's corner was headed-on, the veteran pulled the ball back to Kelvin Leerdam for an easy finish and the eighteen year-old's first goal in the Eredivisie.

Four matches to decide if Feyenoord head to the Europa League, starting with Twente, and following up with Den Haag, Utrecht and Roda JC.