AZ Alkmaar cruise past Heracles in Eredivisie opener
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Almelo, Netherlands (SportsNetwork.com) - AZ Alkmaar made a strong start to the Eredivisie season on Saturday, cruising past Heracles in a 3-0 victory at the Polman Stadion.
After a scoreless opening period in which the visitors were held in check, Steven Berghuis struck in the 56th minute to put Alkmaar in front.
The floodgates then opened as Guus Hupperts doubled the club's advantage just seven minutes later, while Muamer Tankovic put the win beyond any remaining doubt in the 76th minute by netting AZ Alkmaar's third of the match.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Newly-promoted FC Dordrecht also made a bright start to the new season as the club came from behind to collect three points from a 2-1 victory at Heerenveen.
Hakim Ziyech had put the hosts in front after 14 minutes, but Giovanni Korte struck just before halftime to level the score.
It looked as if the two sides were destined to share the spoils until Joris van Overeem popped up with what turned out to be the winner nine minutes from time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Elsewhere in the Dutch top flight on Saturday, Youness Mokhtar scored two minutes from time to give Twente a point from a 1-1 draw at Cambuur while Jeff Stans and Adnane Tighadouini scored in quick succession to see Excelsior and NAC play to a 1-1 draw.