PSV profit from Ajax draw
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Article summary
PSV Eindhoven consolidated second place with an emphatic 5-0 win against FC Groningen.
Article body
Prolific Kezman
The Eredivisie's top scorer, Mateja Kezman, increased his tally for the season to 22 goals with a hat-trick in the first 56 minutes while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Johan Vonlanthen also chipped in. The gloss was taken off the result, however, by another hamstring injury to winger Arjen Robben just 17 minutes into his comeback after a month out. (Click here for the full story on Robben's injury.)
Kuijt leveller
Runaway leaders AFC Ajax, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw at third-placed Feyenoord - who lie three points behind PSV - after a late equaliser from striker Dirk Kuijt. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for the visitors - in sight of their 29th league title - on 69 minutes, knocking a Rafael van der Vaart cross beyond goalkeeper Edwin Zoetebier.
Sibon hat-trick
Striker Gerald Sibon scored a hat-trick in eight first-half minutes to help fourth-placed SC Heerenveen crush FC Utrecht 4-0 on Saturday. Sibon, who celebrates his 30th birthday later this month, collected his first after 25 minutes and settled the match with two more just after the half-hour mark. Jesper Håkansson claimed the fourth ten minutes after the break.
Relegation issues
FC Zwolle moved off bottom spot after a 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar carried them above FC Volendam, who lost 1-0 at home to Willem II. Ivar van Dinteren scored Zwolle's first after 18 minutes and winger Dominggus Lim-Duan doubled the lead within the hour, boosting their side's hopes of safety.
Vitesse fight back
SBV Vitesse, in 16th place in the 18-team league, fought back from 2-0 down against NAC Breda to grab a point thanks to goals from Theo Janssen and Mamadou Zongo in three second-half minutes.
Other games
Elsewhere, Dutch Cup finalists FC Twente ended a streak of four consecutive defeats with a 2-1 win at RBC Roosendaal. ADO Den Haag stayed 15th following their 3-1 home defeat by RKC Waalwijk while Roda JC, in sixth, saw off mid-table NEC Nijmegen 4-0 on Friday.