Dutch premier league leaders AZ Alkmaar continued their unbeaten run on Saturday to easily beat struggling hosts Heracles.

Coming into the Heracles encounter, AZ had had an amazing unbeaten run of 21 matches including 19 wins and 2 draws, and were determined to secure a win against the opponents trying desperately to move away from the relegation zone.

But in the first half, AZ players wasted several good chances of scoring against the stubborn defense of the hosts.

Eight minutes into the second half, 24-year-old Mounir El Hamdaoui scored the first goal of the night, and his 19th of the season, with a close-range shot. Just before the final whistle blow, Hamdaoui got his 20th goal of the season after converting a cross from substitute Graziano Pelle.

In other actions on Saturday night, defending champions PSV Eindhoven luckily defeated hosts Groningen 1-0 thanks to a goal by Serb international Danko Lazovic, Heerenveen whipped Willem II 3-1 at home, and Den Haag were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting NAC Breda.

On the league table, AZ, with 60 points out of 24 matches, extend their lead over second-placed Twente, who have a game in hand, to 12 points. Ajax, PSV and Heerenveen, all with 45 points, lie in 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively, with Ajax having a game in hand.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2009)