THE HAGUE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- PSV became soccer champions of the Netherlands after defeating rivals Ajax 3-0 in Eindhoven on Sunday.
PSV needed a win to already claim the Dutch title and didn't show any nerves. Gaston Pereiro tipped in from a rebound in the 23rd minute and Luuk de Jong headed in the second goal in the 38th minute.
In the second half Steven Bergwijn decided the match. He had control in the penalty area and put the ball in the corner of the goal, causing a euphoric atmosphere in the packed stadium. Ajax finished the match with nine men after defender Nicolas Tagliafico received his second yellow card and substitute Siem de Jong got a red card.
The 3-0 win got PSV on 80 points from 31 match rounds in the Eredivisie, with Ajax on 70 points now too far behind with three matches remaining. The Eindhoven based Dutch giants captured their 24th national championship. Only Ajax became champions more often, 33 times.
It is the third title under coach Phillip Cocu, after the titles in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. For the second time in history, PSV grabbed the Dutch title in a direct confrontation with Ajax. The first time was on 9 June 1963, when PSV beat Ajax 5-2 at home to become champions.
