AZ Alkmaar take Dutch title

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THE HAGUE, April 19, 2009 (AFP) - AZ Alkmaar, coached by former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal, were crowned Dutch champions on Sunday for the second time in the club's history.

Alkmaar lost 2-1 to Vitesse Arnhem on Saturday but were assured the title on Sunday after Ajax lost 6-2 at PSV Eindhoven.

Alkmaar, with 76 points, are untouchable with three games of the season remaining.

Steve McLaren's FC Twente are lying second on 65 points with Ajax in third, one point behind.

The champions, who hail from a small town numbering 100,000 inhabitants 40km north-west of Amsterdam, have ensured their presence in the first group stages of next season's Champions League.

Formed in 1967 in a marriage between Alkmaar'54 and FC Zaanstreek, AZ Alkmaar's only other title came in 1981, the year they were beaten by Ipswich Town in the UEFA Cup final.