Ajax win the 2019 Johan Cruyff Shield

Ajax celebrate after defeating their rivals from Eindhoven 2-0 - Foto: KNVB Media

Ajax beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 to lift the first prize of the season, the Johan Cruyff Shield. The Amsterdam side succeed Feyenoord Rotterdam, who won the trophy last year.

The traditional curtain-raiser of the Dutch football season got off to a lightning start in the Johan Cruijff Arena on a hot Saturday evening with Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg opening the score-sheet within just one minute. The Danish goal-getter tapped in a cross from midfielder Donny van de Beek, leaving PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet little chance.

The Amsterdam side, who won both the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Beker (known as the Dutch Cup) last season, came close to doubling the lead within another few minutes, but another Dolberg effort failed to find the net.

Ajax in control

Ajax dominated the game, but PSV soon became dangerous in front of goal. Sam Lammers, for instance, almost levelled proceedings with a fine header. Ten minutes into the second half, however, Ajax defender Daley Blind scored the decider with a powerful strike outside the box. With half an hour to go, PSV found themselves down to ten men after Sam Lammers was taken off the pitch with an injury and the maximum of three substitutions had been made.

Ajax have now won the Johan Cruyff Shield nine times. Saturday’s opponent PSV Eindhoven are still the most successful side since the Dutch season’s opening match was introduced in 1991, lifting the trophy as many as ten times.