The 2002-03 campaign was a season of high ambition for Feyenoord as the defending UEFA Cup champions, De club aan de Maas, secured a strong 3rd-place finish in the Eredivisie. Leading the charge was the free-kick legend Pierre van Hooijdonk, whose 28 league goals anchored a potent attack. Although they were narrowly defeated in the KNVB Cup Final and exited the Champions League in the group stage, the season marked the ascent of future star Robin van Persie, defining a crucial era for the club