GRONINGEN, November 3 (Eredivisie) - Feyenoord bounced back from their latest Champions League setback against Juventus with a triumph at Dutch minnows Groningen.

The Rotterdammers, already out of contention for a place in the second group stage of Europe's elite club competition, were given a footballing lesson by the Italian champions in midweek and they also lost starting goalkeeper Edwin Zoetebier to injury.

They had already been struggling since the injury to striker Pierre van Hooijdonk and began the day in fourth place.

The pressure was really on at half-time because Feyenoord were locked in a scoreless draw, and league leaders Ajax were romping to a 3-0 win against Willem II.

Groningen had had the better of the opening 45 minutes.

In the 15th minute, Martin Drent was in a one-on-one with Zoetebier's replacement, former Groningen captain Patrick Lodewijks, and he did well to save at the striker's feet.

Feyenoord's Bonaventure Kalou had a shot from 10 yards in the 34th minute but that was saved by home keeper Roy Beukenkamp.

A minute before the interval and Groningen had another chance when Drent took aim from eight yards but he shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

Thomas Buffel made sure the points would go back to Rotterdam, though.

He broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half and then Japanese star Shinji Ono all but put the victory on ice with a second 13 minutes later.

The first strike came after a mistake by Puis Ikedia. That led to Chong Song Gug releasing Buffel, who fired past Beukenkamp.

A cross from Australian winger Brett Emerton from the right created the second.

His ball found Ono unmarked in the centre and the diminutive Japanese midfielder slid the ball home.

Substitute Rolf Landel could have halved the deficit in the 69th minute but his header from a Ikedia cross was millimeters wide.

Two minutes later and Lodewijks added to the misery of his former team, easily saving from a Drent header which had flown in from the left from a Mile Krsteve free-kick.

The victory keeps Feyenoord six points behind Ajax, who were convincing over Willem II and looking formidable in their title defence.