Football United

PSV Eindhoven have retained their Dutch league title following a 1-1 draw against FC Groningen. With two games remaining, they hold an unassailable ten-point lead over AZ Alkmaar, who lost 1-0 to AFC Ajax.



'Beautiful championship'
Coach Guus Hiddink, who leaves PSV at the end of the season, said: "This is a beautiful championship, especially because nobody, including ourselves, considered us candidates for the title. If I consider how my team has played this season, I have to pay my respects to them."

High-profile departures
PSV lost star players Mark van Bommel, Ji-Sung Park and Johann Vogel last summer, but shrugged off the departures to claim their fifth title in seven years, their 19th overall. Club captain Philip Cocu said: "It was sad that we could not finish in style with a win but we clinched the title and that's what is important. Weeks before the start of the season a few players left us but with hard work we pulled off a great achievement. It took a lot of energy especially because this not a team that can win matches when playing at 70 percent."



Double chance
Erik Nevland had given Groningen the lead after robbing Timmy Simons and beating Heurelho Gomes on the stroke of half-time, but Jefferson Farfán hit back two minutes after the break. AZ's result meant that even a defeat would have seen PSV crowned champions. PSV can repeat the double they won last season if they win the Dutch Cup final against Ajax on 7 May in Rotterdam.

Eredevisie

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. PSV 32 80
2. AZ 32 70
3. Feyenoord 32 67
4. Utrecht 32 55
5. Ajax 32 54

Source: uefa.com, psv.nl