Feyenoord have missed the chance to secure automatic qualification into the Europa League after losing 3-0 away to PEC Zwolle on the final day of the Eredivisie season.
A second-half goal from Ben Rienstra and a double from Tomas Necid - after Rick Karsdorp was sent off - saw Zwolle finish off the campaign on a high and join this afternoon's visitors in the qualifiers for next season's edition of Europe's secondary competition.
Fred Rutten's side travelled to IJsseldelta Stadion knowing that victory would see them pip AZ to third place, but Alkmaar's 4-1 demolition of Excelsior condemned Feyenoord to fourth.
Both sides toiled in their opposition's half throughout a nervy first period that finished goalless, but the deadlock was nearly broken seven minutes after the break when Ryan Thomas was expertly denied by Feyenoord keeper Kenneth Vermeer.
It proved a sign of things to come as the hosts moved ahead within moments of that close shave, with Rienstra finishing off a slick attack by slotting past Vermeer.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors on 71 minutes when Thomas was brought down by Kasdorp, who was given his marching orders, and second-half sub Necid slotted the resulting penalty for his second goal in as many games.
If there was any doubt about the result, then Necid made sure with another in the closing stages to seal the win and ensure that Feyenoord join Zwolle on the arduous journey through the qualifiers before reaching next season's group stage.
Shane Callaghan
