Ajax with a point to prove
Friday, May 3, 2002
Article summary
AFC Ajax need just a point against NEC Nijmegen on Sunday to be crowned Eredivisie champions.
Article body
AFC Ajax need just a single point from their trip to NEC Nijmegen on Sunday to be crowned Eredivisie champions for the first time in four years, but defeat will give champions PSV Eindhoven an opportunity to retain their title, should they also win at De Graafschap.
Absent striker
Having taken over from Co Adriaanse last December at the Amsterdam ArenA, coach Ronald Koeman is on the verge of winning the double in his first season in charge of the club he used to play for, with FC Utrecht awaiting in the Dutch Cup final on 12 May. However, for the trip to the Goffert stadium, Ajax are still without the services of top scorer and Dutch international forward Raphael van der Vaart.
Issues decided
PSV are looking for their third title in a row and with a superior goal difference to leaders Ajax, will be pushing hard for the win at relegation threatened De Graafschap that could yet hand them the title should rivals Ajax slip-up. However, both teams are guaranteed a place in next season's UEFA Champions League regardless of results in the final matches, and third-placed Feyenoord will take part in the qualifying rounds of the competition as well.
Time for decisions
The De Vijverberg stadium come final whistle on Sunday could be a time of fond farewells for some of PSV's players, most probably Dutch international midfield player Mark van Bommel, Kevin Hofland and Mateja Kezman, and victory would be the best way to say goodbye to the club.
Timmer in
For third-placed Feyenoord, their trip to Willem II is of little significance, with a place in the Champions League third qualifying round already secure and minds fully focused on their UEFA Cup final with BV Borussia Dortmund next Wednesday in Rotterdam. As a result, coach Bert van Marwijk will play second choice goalkeeper Henk Timmer in what will be his last match for the club before he returns to AZ Alkmaar.
Great run
Fourth-placed SBV Vitesse and fifth-placed SC Heerenveen are assured of places in the first-round of next season's UEFA Cup, which is a fine reward for Vitesse and their coach Edward Sturing, who replaced Koeman last year, for being undefeated in Eredivisie since the end of the winter break.
Relegation threat
At the wrong end of the table, SC Fortuna Sittard have already been relegated, while Sparta Rotterdam will take on either FC Den Bosch, FC Groningen or De Graafschap in a play-off to decide who will go down with Sittard. However, should both Groningen and De Graafschap secure a point against Sparta and PSV respectively, then they will both be safe and it will be Sparta versus Den Bosch to decide who will remain in Eredivisie next season.