PSV Eindhoven win Dutch league as AZ give it away

Jonathan Roorda - 29 April 2007 17:12

Philip Cocu celebrates (Action Images)

EINDHOVEN, Apr 29 (SW) - PSV Eindhoven have won the Dutch Eredivisie for the 20th time in history. Ronald Koeman's team beat Vitesse 5-1 and this was enough to stay ahead of Ajax and AZ Alkmaar.

The final round of matches promised to be the most thrilling ever in the Dutch league. AZ, Ajax and PSV all began with 72 points. AZ had a goal record of +53, Ajax +47 and PSV had a +46 record.

In theory, AZ had the weakest opponents as the Alkmaar outfit visited 16th-placed Excelsior in Rotterdam. Ajax played at Willem II in Tilburg and PSV hosted Vitesse Arnhem.

<b>Leaders lose</b>

AZ, the only team that did not depend on results elsewhere to clinch the championship, experienced a bad start.

Excelsior striker Slory was brought down by goalkeeper Boy Waterman in the 19th minute, with a red card and a penalty as result. Luigi Bruins made no mistake from the spot and Excelsior took the lead.

A few minutes later however, AZ levelled as German Simon Cziommer scored from a free kick.

AZ pushed for a winner but instead, Henrico Drost restored Excelsior's lead with a distance strike bouncing in from the crossbar.

Club topscorer Danny Koevermans gave AZ new hope in the 70th minute, 2-2, and Excelsior's René van Dieren was handed a second yellow card two minutes later.

It was not enough for the league leaders though and it was decided when Johan Voskamp scored for 3-2 in added time.

<b>One goal too few</b>

The team with the best chances to take advantage of AZ's loss was Ajax. Henk ten Cate's team travelled to Tilburg knowing that if AZ was to drop points, Ajax practically had a one-goal advantage over PSV and scored more goals as well.

Urby Emanuelson opened the score for the visitors in the 19th minute and striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar doubled the lead in the 67th.

Ajax battled to score a third, as the standing at the Philips Stadium pointed out that another goal was needed.

Huntelaar had a good chance in the final phase but saw his effort go centimeters wide of the post.

<b>PSV take the trophy</b>

In Eindhoven, PSV knew that the task ahead was difficult, if not impossible.

Koeman's side had a perfect start as defender Alex opened the score after just eight minutes and Jefferson Farfan added another two minutes later.

Vitesse weren't beaten yet however and got one back through Theo Janssen in the 13th minute.

PSV needed until the second half to recover from that blow but then it was Ibrahim Affelay to net for 3-1 in the 59th minute.

Farfan got another in the 65th minute and the eventual winner was scored by captail Phillip Cocu with thirteen minutes left in regular time.

As AZ lost and Ajax now trailed by one goal in the league ranking, PSV took their 20th Eredivisie title and occupy the top spot at the end of the season, for the third consecutive year.

<b>Champions League Play-offs</b>

While FC Twente were already certain of appearing in the Champions League play-offs, the fifth spot (and fourth play-off ticket) could still be anyone's.

Feyenoord needed to beat Heerenveen to maintain their fifth place, while a Heerenveen win would see the Frisians through to the play-offs.

A third scenario was a draw, which meant that Roda JC would finish fifth if the Kerkrade outfit were to win their match with Heracles.

They did, but Heerenveen stunned Feyenoord as well to achieve an impressive 5-1 victory at the Abe Lenstra stadium.

Heerenveen finish fifth, Roda JC sixth and Feyenoord finish one of their worst seasons ever in seventh place.

<b>Relegation</b>

Excelsior and RKC Waalwijk will have to appear in the promotion-relegation play-offs while ADO Den Haag return to the first division for next season.