Netherlands round-up: NEC hopes boosted

NEC Nijmegen surged up to fourth place in the Eredivisie standings with a 1-0 home win against Willem II on Tuesday.

Ax the hero
Patrick Ax was NEC's hero, heading in Resit Schuurman's corner from 12 metres, and securing three valuable points against one of his side's closest rivals for a UEFA Cup place this term. Willem remain in sixth, but are now four points behind fifth-placed Roda JC, while NEC are another point ahead behind the runaway front three of PSV Eindhoven, AFC Ajax and Feyenoord.

Utrecht held
SC Heerenveen forced a 2-2 draw against FC Utrecht on Wednesday to bring the home side back down to earth after their weekend victory over Ajax. The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute courtesy of Gerald Sibon, but Utrecht equalised through Alje Schut in the 29th minute. A Dirk Kuijt penalty in the 35th minute edged the hosts in front, but then Mika Nurmela also succeeded from the spot to square the match in the 40th minute.