Eredivisie Wrap: Heerenveen, AZ claim home wins

Heerenveen won their first Eredivisie match of the year as they toppled ADO Den Haag 3-0 on Saturday.

Marco van Basten’s men remain fifth after their victory, but closed to within four points of third-placed Twente with a much-needed win.

The club’s bid for a European spot has started poorly in 2014, with a draw against 15th-placed Roda JC followed by a defeat at struggling Cambuur.

But Heerenveen returned to winning ways thanks to a strong second half at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

Hungarian defender Kenneth Otigba broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and Alfred Finnbogason, the league’s top scorer, added a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes later.

Finnbogason now has scored 20 Eredivisie goals in just 18 matches this season.

Substitute Rajiv van La Parra wrapped up the victory with an injury-time strike as Heerenveen won comfortably.

PEC Zwolle made it three wins in a row in all competitions with a 3-1 home victory over Roda JC.

They had to do it the hard way, though, as Guyon Fernandez and substitute Fred Benson scored in the last 13 minutes to give them victory.

Ryan Thomas’ early strike had been cancelled out by Roda’s Mitchell Donald just after the hour mark before Zwolle’s late show took place.

Other results on Saturday saw NAC Breda claim a 2-1 win at Heracles while AZ beat Groningen 2-0 thanks to an early Nemanja Gudelj double.