Heerenveen edge out Ajax
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Article summary
SC Heerenveen will take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Dutch play-off semi-final with AFC Ajax, while FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar drew 1-1 in their match.
Article body
SC Heerenveen will take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Dutch play-off semi-final with AFC Ajax, while FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar drew 1-1 as the four sides battle for a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round place next season.
Nilsson strike
Lasse Nilsson was the hero for Heerenveen, scoring the only goal after 18 minutes with the help of an assist from ESM Golden Shoe leader Afonso Alves. Simon Cziommer's 13th-minute shot gave Louis van Gaal's side the lead in the other tie, but a 25-metre Kennedy Bakircioglu free-kick three minutes into the second half brought the equaliser for Twente.
Single spot
The return games will be played this Sunday with the two winners meeting for the one remaining UEFA Champions League qualifying spot. The defeated finalists and both semi-final losers will go into the first round of the UEFA Cup. In the first semi-final play-off match for one further UEFA Cup berth, FC Utrecht played out a 0-0 home draw against Roda JC. Their return is on Saturday, while the other semi-final between FC Groningen and Feyenoord starts tomorrow.
