Van Gaal's AZ hit new heights

Winning position
A 3-1 win against SC Heerenveen, coupled with the late Alje Schut header which denied champions and long-time leaders PSV Eindhoven victory against FC Utrecht, has left AZ Alkmaar at the top of the Dutch league ahead of both AFC Ajax and PSV on goal difference. A win at SC Excelsior in their final league game on Sunday would almost certainly give the Alkmaar side their first league title since their maiden success in 1980/81.

Reversal of fortune
Van Gaal's men have a +53 goal difference, six goals better than Ajax and seven in advance of PSV. The title looks to be AZ's to lose, but the coach admitted that the unfamiliarity of that situation might be a burden for his players. "Now we are facing a whole different kind of pressure," he said. "We have been chasing for a long time but now we are leaders. That is something completely different."

No room for error
Simon Cziommer was the hero against Heerenveen, scoring twice either side of a goal from Shota Arveladze. The German midfielder said: "When we heard the score from PSV, it lifted our spirits and we could give a little extra. Now we have to focus our attention on next week's match when we will have to give that little bit extra again. We cannot slip up now."

Cup final
Earlier this week AZ overwhelmed NAC Breda 6-0 to set up a Dutch Cup final meeting with Ajax, reviving memories of 1981 when they won a league and cup double. In that season they also reached the final of the UEFA Cup, losing out to Ipswich Town FC, although Werder Bremen have already ended AZ's interest in the 2006/07 competition, knocking them out in the quarter-finals.

Final round
With the end-of-season play-offs dictating that only the Dutch title-winners are guaranteed a UEFA Champions League place for next season, Van Gaal is only too aware of the opportunity provided by next weekend's final round of league games but insists his side will take it easy in the build-up to the game. "The only difference will be that we might hold a training camp and the players will get some days off as they need rest," he said.

Trophy replica
While AZ travel to Rotterdam on the final day, PSV play host to BV Vitesse and Ajax visit Willem II. Mindful of the possibility of last-day drama, the Royal Netherlands Football Association have manufactured an extra replica of the Kampioenschaal in addition to the existing copy in the event that the championship shield should find itself in the wrong place at the final whistle next weekend.