Eredivisie wrap: Vitesse toil for share of spoils

Vitesse Arnhem’s strong start to the Eredivisie campaign continued as they drew 3-3 with Heerenveen on Saturday.

It was not the result that impressed so much though, more so the fact Vitesse came from behind three times to salvage a deserved point.

Starting the day in second on the table and knowing a win would take them top, a big crowd was in attendance at the GelreDome in Arnhem.

But they were disappointed in the first half as Heerenveen scored the opener after 36 minutes.

Finland’s Jukka Raitala provided the assist for Icelandic forward Alfred Finnbogason to fire Marco van Basten’s side ahead.

Ivorian Wilfried Bony was in inspired form in the second half though and he quickly levelled proceedings.

Finnbogason produced a quick response but Bony was not to be denied, with his 70th-minute effort making it 2-2.

Sven Kums’ goal should have won it for Heerenveen but a red card to defender Arnold Kruiswijk changed the complexion of the match.

Kruiswijk had not only been given his marching orders, but also conceded a penalty, and Bony stepped up to bag his hat-trick and give his side a point in a thrilling encounter.

Roda JC climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 home win against fellow strugglers VVV Venlo.

Syrian forward Sanharib Malki got the opener after 33 minutes and he struck again in the second half, with Mark Fledderus also on the scoresheet in the comfortable win.

In other matches, a Ninos Gouriye double fired Heracles to a 3-0 triumph at PEC Zwolle while Willem II edged RKC Waalwijk 1-0.