Gabri clinches Super Cup for Ajax

For the third year in a row Dutch Cup holders AFC Ajax defeated champions PSV Eindhoven to claim the Dutch Super Cup in the traditional season opener in the Netherlands.

Gabri winner
Gabri got the only goal of the game to clinch the Johan Cruijff Schaal for Ajax who will take heart from the victory ahead of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against SK Slavia Praha on Wednesday. Ajax were the first to come close when Kennedy Bakircioglu sent his free-kick just wide on ten minutes. Otman Bakkal flashed a shot wide on 30 minutes for PSV then sent a header narrowly over soon after.

Gomes saves
Ajax went ahead two minutes before the break when Spaniard Gabri beat Heurelho da Silva Gomes from five metres after the PSV defence had failed to clear the ball. Edison Méndez shot across goal when well placed ten minutes after the interval and that proved to the closest PSV would come to the equaliser as Ajax took the game to their rivals. Gomes twice saved well from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar before seeing Dennis Rommedahl's attempt hit the post, but one goal was enough for Ajax in front of 48,000 at the Amsterdam Arena. The Eredivisie season begins next weekend with PSV travelling to Heracles Almelo while Ajax take on De Graafschap.