AFC Ajax are well-placed to reach the final of the Dutch end-of-season play-offs for a UEFA Champions League spot after winning 2-1 in their semi-final first leg at SC Heerenveen.

The Amsterdam club, who finished the Eredivisie campaign in second position behind champions PSV Eindhoven, claimed the initiative against fifth-placed Heerenveen thanks to goals from Luis Suárez and Johnny Heitinga. Gerald Sibon had briefly restored parity at the Abe Lenstra Stadium. The second leg takes place on 5 May with the victor facing either NAC Breda or FC Twente – the latter lead 3-0 after Tuesday's opener – for a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round slot.

Suárez capitalised on a defensive mistake to put Ajax ahead after 61 minutes, rounding goalkeeper Rob van Dijk after defender Calvin Jong-A-Pin had misjudged a Maarten Stekelenburg goal kick. Heerenveen equalised ten minutes later when Sibon outjumped Heitinga to head in a Roy Beerens centre. However, home joy was short-lived as Heitinga made amends, scoring with a header of his own from Bruno Silva's cross.