Domestic bliss for Ajax
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Article summary
AFC Ajax recovered from their European disappointments to retain a one-point lead in the Netherlands.
Article body
AFC Ajax bounced back from their midweek elimination from the UEFA Champions League to stamp their authority on the Eredivisie, regaining top spot in the Dutch First Division thanks to a 1-0 win against FC Utrecht on Sunday.
Solitary goal
The only goal arrived in the 76th minute when captain Rafael van der Vaart buried an assist from Maxwell. Ajax, who have 37 points and a game in hand on PSV Eindhoven, finished bottom of Champions League Group H following a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Club Brugge KV last Tuesday.
Lucius double
PSV, who reached the UEFA Cup because of a third-place finish in Group C, defeated RKC Waalwijk 3-1 on Saturday to remain in second on 36 points. Midfield player Theo Lucius gave the home side the lead after two minutes, but seven minutes before the break RKC defender Virgilio Teixeira levelled. Early in the second half Arjen Robben restored the lead with a brilliant goal from a difficult angle and a second strike by Lucius settled the encounter.
Hit for six
AZ Alkmaar stayed third after drubbing lowly FC Volendam 6-0. Strikers Ali Elkhattabi and Kenneth Perez scored two apiece after the break following earlier efforts from Stijn Huysegems and Michael Buskermolen.
Twente impress
FC Twente impressed during a 4-2 defeat of fourth-placed Feyenoord. Two goals inside the first half hour from striker Blaise N'Kufo gave his side a 2-0 lead but a minute before half-time Dirk Kuijt pulled one back, heading in a corner.
Curling shot
Collins John restored the two-goal advantage after he beat goalkeeper Patrick Lodewijks with a magnificent curling effort into the top right-hand corner. Sjaak Polak then made it 4-1 from the penalty spot before Chilean Sebastian Pardo's consolation went in four minutes from time.
ADO woe
NEC Nijmegen brushed aside fellow strugglers SBV Vitesse 2-0 thanks to goals from Arjan Ebbinge and Dejan Govedarica while relegation strugglers ADO Den Haag suffered their tenth defeat of the season, going down 1-0 at home to Willem II. Northern Ireland's James Quinn scored the winner on 34 minutes.
Draws all round
Bottom side FC Zwolle drew 1-1 at home against FC Groningen, as did RBC Roosendaal with SC Heerenveen. On Friday, Roda JC fought took a share of the points following a 2-2 draw with NAC Breda.
