Eredivisie wrap: Willem shock AZ, Roda score five

Eredivisie strugglers Willem II won for the first time in eight matches as they stunned AZ Alkmaar 2-1 on Saturday.

Having conceded 17 goals in their last three matches, John Feskens’ squad entered the game with little confidence against an AZ side who sit fourth and are battling it out for a place in Europe.

But an early goal was just what Willem II needed, with Andreas Lasnik’s fifth-minute effort giving the hosts an early lead.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson equalised for AZ on the half-hour mark, but Lasnik was determined to be the difference, turning provider for Evgeniy Levchenko to score the winner after 62 minutes.

AZ defender Hector Alfredo Moreno was sent off in the dying stages as Willem II celebrated just their third win of the season.

Mads Junker made it five goals in two games after he snared a double in Roda JC’s 5-1 win over NAC Breda.

Junker joined Jimmy Hempte and Morten Skoubo as first-half scorers for the victors, although Joonas Kolkka pulled one back for NAC on the stroke of half-time.

But Junker’s second – from the spot – was then followed by Anouar Hadouir’s goal 11 minutes later which sealed the win, with Roda JC having now scored 19 goals in their last five matches as they have risen to fifth on the table.

In other matches, strikes from Everton and Willy Overtoom gave Heracles a 2-0 home win against De Graafschap while a late Ruud Boymans equaliser ensured VVV Venlo shared the points with Heerenveen in a 1-1 draw.