Ajax wins Dutch title, enters Champions League prelim rounds

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Ajax won its 34th Dutch league title on Wednesday, one week after a last-minute loss to Tottenham in the Champions League semifinals.

A 4-1 win at struggling De Graafschap secured Ajax's first league title since 2014, three points clear of runner-up PSV Eindhoven which beat visiting Heracles 3-1.

The title had been all-but sealed in Sunday's round of games.

Even as title winner, Ajax must again enter the Champions League qualifying rounds, needing to eliminate two opponents to reach the lucrative group stage.

PSV will start one round earlier, needing to beat three opponents, just as Ajax did last year to get into this season's Champions League.