ALMELO, Aug 14 (SW) - The Dutch season started with a convincing home victory for last season's revelations AZ Alkmaar, while defending champions PSV Eindhoven were held by newly promoted Heracles Almelo.

Friday

AZ Alkmaar - Sparta 3-0

Sparta's return to the Eredivisie was anything but successful on Friday. UEFA Cup semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar easily defeated the Rotterdam side 3-0, with goals from new signing Shota Arveladze in the 3rd and 49th minutes. The third and last goal came from Tarik Sektioui in the 75th.

Saturday

Heracles - PSV Eindhoven 1-1

For their first match of the season, PSV travelled to Almelo to face newly promoted Heracles. Guus Hiddink's men thought to have secured three points when Cocu finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, but Thijs Sluijter surprised the champions with the equaliser three minutes later.

Vitesse - Heerenveen 2-2

Vitesse hosted Frisian side Heerenveen at the Gelredome in Arnhem, and took the lead through Etienne Esajas in the 33rd minute. Klaas Jan Huntelaar levelled in the 66th minute, but Theo Jansen restored the gap in the 80th. However, Petter Hansson scored a second equalizer two minutes later.

Willem II - RKC 1-2

The provincial derby between Willem II and RKC Waalwijk had the visitors walking away with three points thanks to two goals from Rick Hoogendorp, in the 9th and 54th minutes. Martijn Reuser got one back for last year's Cup finalists, but the hosts failed to level. RKC ended the match with ten players due to a red card for Zuiverloon after 71 minutes.

Roda JC - FC Twente 2-0

In Kerkrade, FC Twente were unable to score against Roda JC, who netted two goals themselves. Edrissa Sonko got the opener after 33 minutes, and Arouna Kone added a second in the 80th.

Sunday

Feyenoord - NAC 2-0

After a disappointing 2004-05 season, Feyenoord were set to start this year with a win over NAC Breda at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam. Sebastian Pardo opened the score in the 24th minute, and international striker Dirk Kuijt decided the match in the 72nd.

NEC - Utrecht 0-0

No goals were scored at De Goffert stadium, where NEC Nijmegen met with FC Utrecht. The guests spent the last part of the match with ten players, as Tim Cornelisse was sent off in the 66th minute.

Groningen - RBC 1-0

FC Groningen needed until the 86th minute to decide their home game against RBC Roosendaal, who were down to ten men as Acuña had been red-carded in the 79th minute. The only goal came from Yuri Cornelisse for 1-0.

Ajax - ADO Den Haag

The match between Ajax and ADO has been rescheduled for January 7th, as Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen refused to allow the game, due to supporters troubles in the past.