Alkmaar credentials on the line

By Berend Scholten

First plays second on Saturday in the Dutch Eredivisie when leaders PSV Eindhoven visit surprise challengers AZ Alkmaar.

PSV in form
Alkmaar led at the winter break on goal difference, only to relinquish it following the first round after the restart when they drew 1-1 with NEC Nijmegen and PSV won. That success saw the Eindhoven side move two points clear, an advantage they still hold after two more wins. Despite PSV scoring 12 times in those three victories, Alkmaar coach Co Adriaanse believes the visitors will have to be on the defensive against the 1981 champions.

Adriaanse verdict
"I think that PSV might give us the initiative and hold back," said Adriaanse. "But they've been scoring freely at the moment and are capable of beating us." Indeed, Alkmaar's only league defeat this season came in Eindhoven back in September, 5-1.

Superb records
Whatever the tactics, statistics show there is little to choose between the teams. The Alkmaarderhourt has provided Alkmaar with rich pickings this season - seven wins, three draws and no losses - identical to PSV's away record. PSV have overcome the dip they had prior to the winter break, when they dropped five points in two matches against Feyenoord and Roda JC.

Robert chance
Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has scored half of PSV's 12 goals in 2005, and Guus Hiddink might even have more firepower available, as Brazilian striker Robert could feature for the first time. "He is starting to find his way at the club more and more," the coach said. "He will certainly travel to Alkmaar, if only to get used to the team and playing style."

Cocu hope
Captain Phillip Cocu also seems close to a comeback, having spent several weeks on the sidelines with a number of niggling complaints and pneumonia. After two weeks of training individually, he has rejoined the squad in recent days. The veteran was absent from the Netherlands side which drew 0-0 in England on Wednesday, meaning PSV had two players in the squad to Alkmaar's four, the largest club representation.

Dominance
That will count for nothing, though, as the teams take to the field on Saturday when, if Alkmaar are to end a near quarter century of Dutch dominance by the big three, they must avoid defeat. The stage is set.