Hwang Doubtful for De Klassieker as Injury List Mounts for Feyenoord

Rotterdam – Feyenoord faces a growing injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated De Klassieker against Ajax. Midfielder In-Beom Hwang is increasingly unlikely to feature in the crucial match after sustaining an injury during last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Excelsior. The mounting list of unavailable players presents a significant challenge for coach Robin van Persie as Feyenoord prepares for one of the most important fixtures in Dutch football.

Hwang, a key component of Feyenoord’s midfield, suffered the injury in the first half of the match against Excelsior following a challenge with Noah Naujoks. Reports indicate he “screamed in pain” as he went down, requiring assistance from medical staff to exit the pitch. Bart Nieuwkoop replaced Hwang, but Nieuwkoop himself would later be forced off the field.

Adding to Van Persie’s concerns, Nieuwkoop was also unable to complete the match, leaving the field in visible distress twenty minutes from full time. Reports described Nieuwkoop leaving the field in tears. Van Persie acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding both players’ availability for De Klassieker in his post-match comments.

The situation with Hwang appears particularly bleak. FCUpdate reported on Tuesday afternoon that the South Korean international was seen on crutches in the center of Rotterdam, a sighting corroborated by the Algemeen Dagblad. This strongly suggests he will be unable to recover in time for the match against Ajax.

Hwang’s potential absence is just one piece of a larger injury puzzle for Feyenoord. Right-back Mats Deijl is suspended for the Klassieker after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Excelsior. A lengthy list of players are currently sidelined due to injury, including Thomas Beelen, Malcolm Jeng, Shaqueel van Persie, Givairo Read, Leo Sauer, Gijs Smal, Jeremiah St. Juste, Sem Steijn, Gernot Trauner and Tsuyoshi Watanabe. This extensive injury list will force Van Persie to field a significantly weakened squad.

De Klassieker, a fixture steeped in history and rivalry, is always a pivotal moment in the Eredivisie season. The match, played at Feyenoord’s De Kuip stadium, carries significant weight in the title race and the battle for European qualification. With so many key players unavailable, Feyenoord will require a monumental effort from those who are fit to compete with their arch-rivals.

The depth of Feyenoord’s squad will be severely tested. Van Persie will need to rely on players who haven’t seen regular playing time to step up and fill the void left by the injured and suspended stars. The tactical approach will also be crucial, as Van Persie will need to find a way to compensate for the loss of key personnel and exploit any weaknesses in the Ajax lineup.

For fans, the situation is a source of considerable anxiety. The prospect of facing Ajax without several key players is daunting, and the outcome of the match could have a significant impact on Feyenoord’s season. The club will be hoping for positive news on the injury front in the coming days, but the outlook remains grim.

The Eredivisie season is reaching a critical stage, and every point is vital. Feyenoord’s ability to navigate this injury crisis and compete effectively against Ajax will be a defining moment in their campaign. The club’s supporters will be hoping for a display of resilience and determination from their team as they prepare for one of the most challenging matches of the season.

Feyenoord’s next confirmed match is against Ajax on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 CET (15:30 GMT). Further updates on player availability will be provided by the club in the days leading up to the match. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of this developing story.

What are your thoughts on Feyenoord’s chances in De Klassieker given the current injury situation? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below.