Netherlands round-up: PSV feel Hiddink effect

Guus Hiddink's return from the Korean Republic to coach PSV Eindhoven was rewarded by a good start to the Eredivisie season as they claimed a 2-0 victory against newly promoted SC Excelsior.

Van Bommel scores first
The young Excelsior side, whose average age is 21, were 2-0 behind inside 17 minutes to goals from Mark van Bommel and Arnold Bruggink, and last season's runners-up subsequently cruised to victory in their opening match.

Six-goal thriller
AZ Alkmaar came from behind three times to take a point from a thrilling 3-3 draw with SC Heerenveen. Heerenveen, fourth last season, took the lead through Romano Denneboom in the 12th minute, and before the half-hour were 2-1 up when Barry van Galen's equaliser was quickly cancelled out by Ronnie Venema's goal. Ali El Khattabi levelled the scores early in the second half, and although Denneboom restored Heerenveen's lead not long afterwards, the home side ensured a point through Kenneth Perez with 21 minutes left.

Roda comeback
NAC Breda and Roda JC were also involved in a high-scoring draw. Home side NAC seemed to be heading for victory when new signing Arne Slot put them ahead in the 24th minute and Hungarian Csaba Fehér doubled the lead soon after half-time. But Marc Nygaard swiftly pulled one back for Roda, and Kevin van Dessel levelled the scores five minutes from the end.

Promoted sides draw
Willem II won 2-0 at FC Twente with goals from Tarik Sektioui and Dmitri Shoukov, while on Friday night, two promoted sides, RBC Roosendaal and FC Zwolle, kicked off the season with a 1-1 draw, Peter Maseland scoring for Roosendaal after eight minutes and Dominggus Lim-Duan equalising midway through the second half. Defending champions AFC Ajax and UEFA Cup holders Feyenoord both begin their campaigns on Sunday.