Dirk Kuyt hat trick leads Feyenoord to first Eredivisie title in 18 years
Feyenoord claimed their first Dutch Eredivisie title in 18 years after a hat trick from 36-year-old Dirk Kuyt on the final day of the season.
Needing a win at home to Heracles to ensure they would win the trophy ahead of Ajax, Kuyt fired them into the lead after just 33 seconds. It was the Netherlands international’s 100th Feyenoord goal and strike No. 101 followed after 12 minutes as any nerves were settled early on.
Fireworks saw the celebrations start early for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team before Kuyt scored his hat trick from the penalty spot on 84 minutes, before Peter van Ooijen got one back to end the game 3-1.
Ajax, the 33-times champions, were poised to pounce if Feyenoord slipped up.
The Europa League finalists named the youngest starting line-up in the 61-year history of the Eredivisie, with an average age of 20 years and 139 days.
They won 3-1 at Willem II but had to settle for the runners-up spot as Feyenoord succeed PSV Eindhoven as champions.
