Ajax suffer 2-1 defeat at Roda

By Theo Ruizenaar

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam suffered a 2-1 defeat at Roda JC Kerkrade in the Dutch league on Sunday to stay nine points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Roland Lamah opened the scoring for Roda midway through the first half when he broke through the Amsterdam defence but seven minutes before the interval Siem de Jong set up Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the equaliser.

Dieter van Tornhout won a battle for the ball on the backline 11 minutes before time and connected with Anouar Hadouir, who headed home the winner for Roda.

With 10 matches remaining PSV, held to a 1-1 home draw by Heerenveen on Saturday, remain top with 53 points, followed by four teams with 44.

Heerenveen are second on goal difference, ahead of Ajax who slipped to third. Feyenoord, 3-1 winners at Graafschap Doetinchem on Saturday are fourth, above NAC Breda who beat Utrecht 1-0 for their sixth straight victory.

Brazilian Cristiano struck with 13 minutes remaining on Sunday to salvage a point for Willem II Tilburg at VVV Venlo who had taken the lead on the stroke of halftime with Peter Reekers on target.

Both teams stay in the relegation zone with 20 points, four above bottom side Excelsior Rotterdam.