Ajax capture 30th Dutch title
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After waiting seven years, Ajax grabbed their 30th Dutch title by beating reigning champions FC Twente 3-1 in the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday.
Ajax coach Frank de Boer, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Sunday, couldn't have asked for a better present. "But it's not for me," he said. "The present is mainly for the fans. They waited for such a long time."
Two teams having the chance to become champions in a direct confrontation on the final Eredivisie match day was unique in Dutch football history and as a consequence whole football loving the Netherlands was looking forward to this match. Last Sunday both clubs could practice in the Cup final, which was won by FC Twente. Both teams knew what to do before the kickoff. FC Twente was one point ahead and needed a draw, while Ajax had to win.
The match in Amsterdam had a spectacular start when Twente striker Bryan Ruiz created an opening for himself after 30 seconds and only found Ajax goal keeper Kenneth Vermeer on his way. After that first chance Ajax took control of the game, which resulted in their first opportunity after 19 minutes. A combination between Siem de Jong and Miralem Sulejmani ended in front of the latter's feet, but his shot went above the crossbar.
Four minutes later the home team did found the net. Gregory van der Wiel gave the cross from the right and Siem de Jong was free to score at the far post. In the remainder of the first half Ajax tried their luck with some shots from distance by Siem de Jong, Demy de Zeeuw and Lorenzo Ebecilio, but they were not able to double the scoring. Denny Landzaat was closest for Twente, but in general the reigning champions had difficulties in dealing with Ajax pressure.
In the second half Ajax got a dream start when former Ajax player Denny Landzaat headed a cross by Van der Wiel into his own goal. Ajax could enjoy the two-goal-margin for only a short period, because Theo Janssen passed Vermeer with a curling shot one minute later.
Twente coach Michel Preud homme tried to force the equalizer by bringing an extra striker, Marc Janko. The changes did not produce positives effects for the Enschede based team. On the contrary, Ajax got more space offensively and the home team profited from that situation. After a pass by Christian Eriksen, Siem de Jong chipped his second over goal keeper Nikolay Mihaylov in the 78th minute and caused an explosion of joy in the Amsterdam Arena. The Dutch record champions earned its 30th championship and can finally put three stars on the chest next season.
"We had expected Ajax playing direct pressing," Twente coach Michel Preudhomme said. "That's what happened, but we could not avoid that. We came behind and at halftime we tried to repair this. If you only look at today, it was a logical victory of Ajax. We never played our own game. I want to congratulate Ajax with the title."
With the championship Ajax qualified for next season's Champions League and Twente will play Champions League preliminary round. PSV drew 0-0 at FC Groningen on Sunday and finished third. Despite of a 5-1 defeat at FC Utrecht, AZ Alkmaar ended as number four and booked a place in the Europa League together with PSV.
FC Groningen, Roda JC Kerkrade, ADO Den Haag and Heracles Almelo will have to play play-offs for a remaining spot in the Europa League. Despite of winning 4-1 at Vitesse, Excelsior could not avoid playing promotion/relegation play-offs together with VVV- Venlo.
Willem II was already sure of relegation and lost their last match against NAC Breda 1-0.
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