Ajax Amsterdam have celebrated back-to-back Dutch titles after a 2-0 victory over VVV Venlo on Wednesday sealed the title with one game to play.
Siem de Jong prodded home the opening goal from close range on eight minutes, altohugh the final touch may have come off a scrambling VVV keeper Dennis Gentenaar.
The same player doubled Ajax’s tally after collecting Ismail Assaiti’s pass before turning and shooting for 2-0 on 58 minutes.
The victory made it 13 consecutive victories for Ajax, who clinched the crown with one game to play, as they hold a six-point buffer from second-placed Feyenoord. The success is Ajax’s 31st league title and coach Frank de Boer’s second since taking over in December 2010 from Martin Jol.
De Boer said: “It was a crazy night. We played good football, but I wished to see more goals. But I must not be critical. I’m very pleased with how we played tonight. Everyone was really in to it tonight. I think the fans enjoyed this evening.”
Ajax hauled in AZ who had led at the winter break, with the Amsterdam club going on a dream run at the end of the campaign.
De Boer added: “We always kept believing, just like the fans who always supported us. This is great. It’s not the same as last year, but I think it’s good for the club and the city that we became champions earlier.”
He continued: “For the fans, last season was special because they waited so long for the third star on the shirt. But for me and my staff this one feels more beautiful seeing what happened this season.
“All the injuries we had and then the turbulence through all the problems in our board, but we stayed loyal to our vision.”