As the European seasons wind down, games take on magnified importance. In France, David Regis and Greg Vanney both helped their clubs to crucial victories in the fight against relegation with two games left. In England, Claudio Reyna was red-carded late in Sunderland’s loss to Liverpool which left Reyna’s club two points above the drop zone with three games to play. In Holland, John O’Brien and Ajax maintained their lead in the Dutch Honor division while a home loss for NAC Breda decreased Earnie Stewart’s chances of playing in next year’s UEFA Cup.
Netherlands
Ñ John O’Brien (Ajax, D1) vs. Sparta Rotterdam, 4-0. Started: 90 minutes. Ajax took care of business against a bottom-of-the-standings opponent and remained four points ahead of PSV Eindhoven in the race for the Dutch League title with three games to play. Sparta must now survive relegation playoffs to remain in the Honor Division. Ñ Earnie Stewart (NAC Breda, D1) vs. NEC Nijmegen, 1-3. Started: 90 minutes. NAC Breda’s quest for a UEFA Cup berth suffered a major setback as visiting NEC staged a three-goal rally. Also hurting NAC Breda’s chances were victories by fourth-place Heerenveen and fifth-place Vitesse Arnhem, whom Breda now trails by five and four points, respectively.France
Ñ David Regis (Metz, D1) vs. Rennes, 3-1. Started: 90 minutes. The win was essential to Metz’s hopes of avoiding relegation as it moved them ahead of Guingamp, currently in the relegation zone, on goal differential. After a week off, however, Metz must maintain that edge when they play at fourth-place PSG. Metz, which has 32 points, closes the season May 4 against Lorient, currently in last place with 29 points. Ñ Greg Vanney (Bastia, D1) vs. Lens, 3-1. Started: 90 minutes. Bastia registered a huge victory over the league leaders by scoring three second-half goals. Vanney’s 55th-minute free kick forced Lens keeper Guillaume Warmuz to make a quality save. Bastia sits six points clear of the relegation zone with two games left — both on the road against mid-table foes Troyes and Sedan.England
Ñ Claudio Reyna (Sunderland, PL – 15th) vs. Liverpool 0-1. Started: 89 minutes. Reyna earned his second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute for a “rash challenge” on England star forward Michael Owen, who had scored Liverpool’s goal on a 55th minute chip shot. Reyna will sit out Sunderland’s next league match. Sunderland teeters just two points above the relegation zone.Games remaining (opponent’s current standing): at West Ham (7), at Charlton (12) and home vs. Derby (19). Ñ Kasey Keller (Tottenham, PL – 8th) vs. West Ham, 1-1. Started: 90 minutes. West Ham defender Ian Pearce beat Keller with a 20-yard blast in the 89th minute to rob host Tottenham of full points, which would have vaulted Spurs over their opponent into seventh place in the Premier League.
England coach Sven Goren Eriksson was on hand to watch several players in contention for World Cup roster spots.
Games remaining (opponent’s current standing): at Bolton (14), vs. Liverpool (2), at Leicester (20). Ñ Brad Friedel (Blackburn, PL – 17th) vs. Chelsea, PPD due to FA Cup.
Games remaining (opponent’s current standing): vs. Middlesbrough (9), at Everton (13), vs. Liverpool (2), vs. Chelsea (5), vs. Fulham (16). Ñ Joe-Max Moore (Everton, PL – 13th) vs. Leicester, 2-2. DNP – not on bench. Games remaining (opponent’s current standing): at Southampton (11), vs. Blackburn (17), at Arsenal (1). Ñ Jovan Kirovski (Crystal Palace, D1) vs. Preston, 2-0. DNP – Not on bench. Ñ Gregg Berhalter (Crystal Palace, D1) vs. Preston, 2-0. DNP – Not on bench.