The pressure on Ajax coach Marco van Basten moved up a notch this afternoon after his side were thrashed 4-1 at Vitesse Arnhem.

A late goal from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar earned Ajax a 1-0 win at Heracles Almelo although they could lose their lead at the top of the Eredivisie as soon as Sunday.

FC BASEL midfielder Mario Cantaluppi has been ruled out of Switzerland’s crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia on Saturday with a foot infection.