Dutch: Alkmaar fails to clinch first title in 28 years

ALKMAAR, Netherlands (AP) -- AZ Alkmaar was forced to put title celebrations on hold Saturday after losing 2-1 to Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch league.

AZ would have clinched its first league title in 28 years with a win, and took the lead in the 19th minute. Mounir El Hamdaoui skillfully controlled David Mendes da Silva's defense-splitting pass and beat Vitesse goalkeeper Eloy Room with a close-range finish.

However, the team's defense, which had conceded just 15 goals before the start of the match, was caught off-guard as Ricky van Wolfswinkel notched a 36th-minute equalizer. Alexander Buttner then stunned Louis van Gaal's side with another goal in the 85th, ending AZ's 28-game unbeaten streak.

AZ still has an 11-point advantage over second-place FC Twente, which lost 1-0 to Feyenoord. AZ could claim the title Sunday if Ajax drops points at defending champion PSV Eindhoven.

AZ leads the standings with 76 points with three more rounds remaining. FC Twente is next with 65, one more than Ajax. AZ plays Ajax in the next round.

Roy Makaay's second-half penalty was enough to help Feyenoord end nine-man Twente's 20-game unbeaten run. Twente's Douglas and Cheikh Tiote were separately dismissed after picking up two yellow cards each, while Feyenoord captain was also ejected after getting his second booking in the 90th.

Groningen beat lowly De Graafschap 1-0 while NEC Nijmegen drew 1-1 against Roda JC.

On Sunday, it's: FC Volendam vs. Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II vs. ADO The Hague and FC Utrecht vs. SC Heerenveen.

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