De Jong: We must beat Feyenoord

Ajax midfielder Siem de Jong has declared Sunday’s meeting with Feyenoord as a must-win clash.

After 18 games of the 2011/12 season, Ajax sit in fourth place in the Eredivisie – trailing leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points – while Feyenoord are a further three points behind in sixth place.

De Jong, 22, is likely to start in an attacking role for the Dutch champions and feels his side must defeat their arch-rivals if they hope to successfully defend their title.

“Matches between Feyenoord and Ajax are games that you always want to win,” De Jong told Voetbal International.

“But now it is really important. We need the three points on Sunday to keep the title race alive. Then we must build some momentum and hope the competition drop points.”

The Netherlands international recalled the first time he featured against Feyenoord, as an 18-year-old back in November 2007 at De Kuip.

“I came on and scored after just a few minutes to make it 2-1 for Ajax. Unfortunately, that was not enough and the game ended 2-2,” he said.