Winning Heracles sees PEC not outplayed and is champion of first division

Heracles Almelo have crowned themselves champions of the first division. The Heracles recorded a 2-0 victory over Jong Ajax, while number two PEC Zwolle fell short of a 3-2 win over Helmond Sport.

As a result, John Lammers’ team finished first on goal difference. Heracles and PEC had both previously been promoted to the premier league.

The numbers three through eight of the first division, together with the number sixteen of the premier league, will decide in the playoffs who will also play in the highest league in the Netherlands next season.

Heracles did not start the match against Jong Ajax brightly. The Amsterdammers had several opportunities to score. Nevertheless, Heracles scored the first goal of the match. Samuel Armenteros easily passed Ajax defender Olivier Aertssen and shot the goal in the 23rd minute.

Twenty minutes before time, Lucas Schoofs doubled the lead. This caused celebration and beers of joy in the stands and on the court. As a result, the match had to be stopped. After a brief interruption, football continued and Heracles did not get into trouble again.

PEC Zwolle started the game just right and got an early lead. Lennart Thy headed the Zwolle players into the lead after more than fifteen minutes. Then Martijn Kaars turned the game around, putting the championship out of sight for PEC.

In the second half, PEC regained a glimmer of hope as Thy also made his second. Deep in injury time, Sven Zitman ensured a Zwolse three-pointer. This victory, however, was thus not enough for the title.

Siem de Jong said goodbye in style tonight. The six-time international, who played for Ajax, PSV and Newcastle United among others, scored two goals in his last game of his career at De Graafschap. Thanks to his goals and a goal by Devin Haen, the team from Doetinchem won 3-0 over FC Den Bosch.

Dick Advocaat ended his illustrious coaching career at the AZ training complex, at least that’s what he says. The former coach, who has already announced his farewell several times, scored a 2-0 victory over Jong AZ with ADO.

The format of the playoffs for promotion is also now known. Almere City takes on FC Eindhoven in the first round. Willem II starts the playoffs against VVV-Venlo. The winners of those duels will take on each other in the second round.

The third match in the first round of the playoffs is between MVV and NAC Breda, the winner of which will play in the second round against the number sixteen in the premier league. Currently FC Emmen is in that spot, but there are still two rounds of play to go.

The two winners of the second round will play for the final spot in next season’s premier league.