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Netherlands set for thrilling finaleSunday, 22 April 2007AZ have much cause for celebrationAZ Alkmaar are in pole position to claim their first Dutch title since the 1980/81 season after a dramatic day in the penultimate round of Eredivisie fixtures.Trio levelPSV Eindhoven had been top since 12 November and have long looked on course to reclaim the championship, with victory today and next Sunday enough to complete the job. All was going to plan at home against FC Utrecht with Ibrahim Afellay's early goal before defender Aljé Schut struck in the closing stages to secure a 1-1 draw. The dropped points allowed AZ and AFC Ajax, who both won, to join PSV on 72 points but move ahead in the standings because of their superior goal difference.Goals crucialAZ lead the way on +53, Ajax are +47 and PSV have +46. In their final games, AZ are away to struggling SC Excelsior and Ajax go to Willem II, another relegation-threatened side, while PSV will welcome BV Vitesse, who are assured of their top-flight place. Only the league winners are guaranteed UEFA Champions League group-stage football next season, with the sides finishing second, third, fourth and fifth to play off for a third qualifying round spot.Nervous timeAZ won 3-1 at home against SC Heerenveen thanks to Simon Cziommer (2) and Moussa Dembélé, with Afonso Alves hitting a consolation for the visitors. Things were not so straightforward for Ajax, who nearly threw away a three-goal advantage before winning 5-2 against visiting Sparta Rotterdam. Wesley Sneijder (2) and Klaas Jan-Huntelaar scored inside the first 21 minutes before Sparta cut the deficit with efforts from Rachid Bouaouzan and Iderlindo Freire. Kenneth Perez's penalty and Nicolae Mitea eased Ajax nerves in the closing stages.
Van Gaal's AZ hit new heights Monday, 23 April 2007by Berend ScholtenLouis van Gaal's AZ lead the Dutch table with a game to goDutch clubs may no longer be involved in Europe but AZ Alkmaar's surge to the top of the Eredivisie at the weekend has set up a dramatic end to the season. Winning positionA 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 fortuneVan 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 errorSimon 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 finalEarlier 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 roundWith 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 replicaWhile 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.
U mean Feyenooit
How many games are left?
Hoping that AZ can hold on at the top and take the title
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