Eredivisie: Ajax 3 Roda JC 0

Ajax began the defence of their Eredivisie title with a convincing 3-0 win over Roda JC at the Amsterdam Arena on Friday.

Frank de Boer’s side, who have claimed three straight league titles, put in a commanding display in front of their home fans to get their season under way in ideal fashion.

First-half goals from Ricardo van Rhijn and Siem de Jong gave the champions a 2-0 lead, and Viktor Fischer added a third after the break to wrap up an easy victory.

Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld – who have both been linked with moves away from Ajax in the close-season – started for De Boer’s men, while on-loan Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic made his competitive debut for the club.

Meanwhile, Roda featured former Liverpool striker Krisztian Nemeth in their starting XI.

It did not take long for Ajax to get their season up and running as the home support were celebrating the opening goal after just eight minutes.

Eriksen whipped in a free-kick from the left-hand side that deceived everyone in the box. Filip Kurto in the Roda goal managed to divert the ball with his foot, but it fell kindly to Van Rhijn who applied an easy finish.

And Ajax doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, with Eriksen once again the architect. The Denmark international found space on the left before playing an exquisite through ball into the path of De Jong, who fired past Kurto into the right-hand corner.

Bojan had a legitimate claim for a penalty at the start of the second period when he surged into the box only to be felled by Ard van Peppen, but the referee waved away his appeals.

But it had no bearing on the game as Ajax continued to dominate proceedings, and they were duly rewarded seven minutes from time when Fischer was on hand to tap home after De Jong’s effort had rebounded off the post.

Ajax continue their campaign with a trip to AZ Alkmaar on August 11, while Roda will look to claim their first points of the season with a home fixture against newly-promoted Cambuur.