PSV's struggles continue vs. FC Twente

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- PSV Eindhoven closed 2008 with a 0-0 draw against FC Twente on Saturday to complete its worst start to the Dutch league in 10 years.

PSV is fourth with 30 points as the four-time defending champion reached the winter break outside the top three for the first occasion since 1998.

AZ Alkmaar leads the league with 38 points, three more than Ajax. Twente, guided by former England coach Steve McClaren, is third with 34.

Nordin Amrabat had the best chance for PSV after breaking away on the right flank but Twente goalkeeper Sander Boschker saved his close-range effort in the seventh minute. Boschker also blocked France defender Jeremie Brechet's free header after a corner in the 17th.

Coming into the game on the back of three successive defeats, Feyenoord beat NAC Breda 3-1 with Leroy Fer scoring in the 44th and 63rd minutes. Feyenoord's Diego Biseswar scored the opening goal in the 33rd. Matthew Amoah's 12th goal of the season late on failed to save NAC.

In Saturday's late games ahead of a traditional two-week break, it's: Vitesse Arnhem vs. FC Volendam; Willem II vs. Sparta Rotterdam and Heracles Almelo vs. De Graafschap.

Ajax, without the injured trio of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and midfielders Rasmus Lindgren and Ismail Aissati, hosts 14th-place ADO The Hague on Sunday. AZ, boosted by the return from injury of defender Kew Jaliens and forward Moussa Dembele, takes on No. 7 NEC Nijmegen on the same day.

After Sunday's games, the league resumes Jan. 16 when Feyenoord visits SC Heerenveen.

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