Netherlands round-up: Mido shoots Ajax one step closer

Ronald Koeman's decision to play Egyptian winger Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' in the centre could have earned AFC Ajax the Eredivisie title after he scored the winner against FC Utrecht today.

Key switch
Mido, signed last summer, had been utilised on the left to inconsistent effect before Koeman returned to Amsterdam in December. But his goal four minutes from half-time put the 27-times Dutch champions within four points of their first title in four years.

Decisive strike
The first real chance of the game resulted in the only goal as United States midfield player John O'Brien crossed for Mido, whose shot flew in high over Harold Wapenaar. Utrecht, already sure of a European place through their Dutch Cup final place against Ajax, were not content to settle for defeat in their dress rehearsal for next month's big game, however. They set about the league leaders in the second period and had the best chances after the interval.

Grim display
Veteran Ajax goalkeeper Fred Grim was forced to pull off a fine save from Robert Roest's header five minutes into the second period. And Grim, retiring after the cup final, was called on again on the hour mark when Finnish striker Paulus Roiha seemed to have beaten him with a firm long-distance strike before he recovered to save. Koeman's men hung for the three points though that move them six points clear of PSV Eindhoven, who have three games left to play.

Paying the penalty
Bart Latuheru scored a last-minute penalty to seal a 2-1 comeback win for NEC Nijmegen against FC Den Bosch. The visitors went a goal up nine minutes into the second half through Bart van den Eede. But veteran Dennis de Nooijer levelled terms 14 minutes from time before Lataheru netted from the spot to give Johan Neeskens' s side maximum points.

De Freitas leveller
A dull game livened up after the break and Van den Eede hit the target in the 54th minute, latching on to a through-ball by veteran forward Fabien de Freitas. De Nooijer was brought on seven minutes later and it was he who forged the equaliser for the home team in the 76th minute.

Home delight
NEC went in search of a winner and it was no surprise when their attacking philosophy paid dividends in the dying seconds. Referee Jack Van Hulten gave NEC a spot-kick after Czech midfield player Jarda Simr was held back in the area and Lataheru made no mistake from eleven metres to delight the 9,500 fans at the Goffert stadium.