Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie was forced to make two changes in the Feyenoord lineup with Luciano Valente and captain Timon Wellenreuther out with suspensions. Jakub Moder replaces Valente in midfield, while Fulham loanee Steven Benda took Wellenreuther's spot between the posts.
After early attempts from Jordan Bos, Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Jakub Moder, Feyenoord were given a huge boost when Go Ahead Eagles midfielder Thibo Baeten was sent off for a harsh foul on Oussama Targhalline, who had to be taken off after Baeten planted his studs on his calf.
After Sem Steijn was brought on for Targhalline, Ayase Ueda, the Eredivisie's top scorer, started the barrage of Jari De Busser's goal by hitting the woodwork. Go Ahead Eagles could barely keep the ball off their half and conceded chance after chance, but all of Moder, Bos, Hwang In-Beom, Watanabe and Ueda failed to give Feyenoord the lead before half-time.
Van Persie decided 20 minutes was enough for Sem Steijn, who he'd named captain after arriving from FC Twente last summer, and replaced the midfielder with striker Casper Tengstedt during half-time.
The Dane took place next to Ueda and created danger alongside the Japanese hitman, but to no avail, as Joris Kramer cleared the ball off the line once, and Ueda and Tengstedt missed big chances.
Late drama
It rained corners for Feyenoord, who were on 17 at the midway point of the second half, but were unable to capitalise on any of them with Go Ahead Eagles stacking the box and De Busser saving his team on several occasions.
Feyenoord were eventually given a lucky break by referee Marc Nagtegaal, who'd denied Go Ahead Eagles a penalty after Ayase Ueda hit Mathis Suray on his Achilles and gave Feyenoord a penalty in the first minute of added time after Evert Linthorst kicked the leg of Casper Tengstedt.
Jari De Busser had the reputation of a penalty killer, but could not stop Tengstedt's spot-kick, which went right through the middle and gave Feyenoord an extremely late lead.
Tengstedt earned Feyenoord three hard-earned points that keep them firmly in second place. Go Ahead Eagles, meanwhile, are in a rush to get some points with the relegation zone just four points away for the reigning KNVB Beker winners.