Netherlands round-up: Ajax achieve lift-off

A late goal from teenager Wesley Sneijder helped AFC Ajax make a promising start to the new Eredivisie season, sealing a 2-1 victory against SBV Vitesse.

Sneijder promise
Ajax looked set to drop two points, but 19-year-old Sneijder underlined his potential by popping up at the death to make the difference. He also collected his side's only goal in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Grazer AK on Tuesday.

First-half
An own goal from Purrel Fränkel had levelled proceedings midway through the first half after Matthew Amoah put Vitesse ahead with a fine effort in the 14th minute.

Lazovic strike
Feyenoord also came out on top of their encounter with NEC Nijmegen 2-1, struggling in the first half before new signing Danko Lazovic broke the deadlock seven minutes after the interval.

Buffel strike
With a quarter of an hour to go, Belgian international Thomas Buffel doubled the lead. NEC captain Rob Wielaert pulled one back from the penalty spot in injury time.

Selakovic penalty
FC Volendam, meanwhile, were defeated 1-0 at home by SC Heerenveen, Stefan Selakovic converting a penalty after 29 minutes in a match in which Gijs Luirink was shown the red card late on.

Close wins
Elsewhere, FC Utrecht defeated FC Zwolle 1-0 thanks to a goal from full-back Patrick Zwaanswijk, while Regilio Vrede celebrated his return to the Netherlands with the vital strike in FC Groningen's 1-0 victory over NAC Breda.

Twente style
FC Twente kicked off their campaign in confident style on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over RBC Roosendaal. Trailing at half-time after Brazilian Tininho's 24th-minute strike, Sjaak Polak equalised early in the second half. Kim Christensen and Blaise N'Kufo scored in the final 15 minutes to seal victory.

High notes
Willem II also started the season on a high against AZ Alkmaar, Joris Mathijssen's effort separating the sides. Iwan Redan's effort midway through the second half was enough to hand RKC Waalwijk victory against newly-promoted ADO Den Haag.

Kezman form
On Friday, reigning champions PSV Eindhoven were held 2-2 by Roda JC, who finished with nine men. Last season's top scorer, Mateja Kezman, was twice on target.