Ajax trail PSV by 5 points in Dutch league

AFC Ajax narrowed the gap to Dutch football league leaders PSV Eindhoven to five points after a 1-0 win over PEC Zwolle.

With Eindhoven losing two points on Saturday, Ajax, who had 54 points, on Sunday needed a win to cut the deficit. In the first half, Ajax had several chances, but the visitors were not able to convert any of those, reported Xinhua news agency.

It took until the 54th minute for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to finish a pass by David Neres.

Justin Kluivert also hit the cross-bar, but the scoring didn't change in the remainder of the second half. The win brought Ajax to 57 points after 24 match rounds, five behind league leaders PSV and seven ahead of number three AZ.

On Saturday, Eindhoven dropped points at home against Heerenveen (2-2), after 22 home victories in a row.

Robin van Persie started for the first time for reigning champions Feyenoord since his return to Rotterdam in January. The 34-year-old forward produced the winning goal against Heracles Almelo (1-0) on Sunday with a shot from outside the penalty area.

Also on Sunday, FC Utrecht beat Roda JC 4-1 in Kerkrade and FC Twente drew 1-1 against Sparta Rotterdam.

--IANS

pur/vd