Ajax secure fourth consecutive Dutch title
Sunday, April 27, 2014
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"Players win matches, but teams win championships," said coach Frank de Boer after steering AFC Ajax to their fourth consecutive Eredivisie title with a 1-1 draw at Heracles Almelo.
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AFC Ajax have secured the Dutch title for the fourth consecutive season and 33rd time overall after claiming a 1-1 draw at Heracles Almelo.
The Amsterdam club went into their penultimate fixture this term possessing a six-point lead over Feyenoord and knowing a stalemate would be enough to retain their crown. They made a strong start against Heracles as well, Danish midfielder Lasse Schöne sending a free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar after 12 minutes.
The hosts levelled ten minutes later, however, when Simon Cziommer curled in an effort. Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen then kept out attempts from Mark Uth and Mikhael Rosheuvel to ensure his side got the result they needed, while also extending their unbeaten run in the Eredivisie to 21 games.
Not only is the title Ajax's fourth in a row, it is the fourth since Frank de Boer took over in December 2010 – making him the only coach to record that feat. Ajax had never previously won the Dutch crown in four successive seasons, and they match the achievement of PSV Eindhoven between 1985/86 and 1988/89 and from 2004/05 to 2007/08.
"I am proud," said De Boer, whose side will contest the UEFA Champions League group stage next term. "This perhaps was not our most impressive performance as both teams could have won it in the end. But over the season, we have been the best. Since the winter break we have beaten our direct rivals Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Twente. We also drew at Vitesse, so in the end we are deserved champions.
"When possible, you also want to go down in the history books," he added. "Now it is even more beautiful to achieve this four times in a row. I didn't do this by myself, but with the whole of the technical staff – and a lot of players who are still with us. I am just doing my best.
"Together we have tried to create a team. The collective is the most important thing; that has been the key looking back at the last four years. Players win matches, but teams win championships. That is what we have proven again."