Ajax won its first Dutch Cup (KNVB Cup) in nine years by defeating Willem II 4-0 at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
The victory ends a five-year trophy drought for Ajax, who now have a chance to win both Champions League and the Eredivisie — the last time they completed the treble was in the 1971/72 season.
But this time around feels a bit different — the current squad is young, fearless, but short-lasting. A victim of their own success, the team will lose key players to bigger clubs after season-end.
Barcelona already paid €75 million for center midfielder Frenkie de Jong. 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt is rumored to follow his teammate to Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are interested in signing 22-year-old midfielder Donny van de Beek. One gets the feeling that it’s now or never for this current Ajax team.
Ajax leads PSV Eindhoven on goal difference in the Dutch league with two games left. Erik ten Hag’s team also leads Tottenham in the Champions League semi-finals by 1-0 on aggregate with the next match to be played on Wednesday in Amsterdam.
Call it luck or destiny — will Ajax’s dream season continue?
