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Chivu expects tears of joy after Dutch award
Wednesday 8th May 2002
Ajax captain Cristian Chivu could hardly contain himself after being voted Dutch league Player of the Year. "I'm not sure whether my mum can avoid crying when I tell her about this," said the Romania defender, who beat NAC midfielder Alfred Schreuder to top spot.
The defender beat second-placed Schreuder by a mere point to win the Golden Boot competition, which is organised by Voetbal International and De Telegraaf.
Heerenveen striker Marcus Allback and Utrecht forward Dirk Kuijt shared third position.
Chivu, meanwhile, was delighted with the award and said: "I immediately phoned my mother in Romania after we had won the title and she couldn't hold back her tears then," Chivu told De Telegraaf. "There might be more of the same now," he added.
"And this is an another big prize for me," he added. "And hopefully we will win the double when we take on Utrecht in the Dutch Cup final on Sunday."
The defender, who was handed the captaincy when new coach Ronald Koeman arrived last December, succeeds PSV midfielder Johann Vogel as the best player in the country.
Chivu will collect his trophy during a gala night on September 2 and will be joined by team-mate Rafael van der Vaart, who beat Feyenoord star Robin van Persie and Ajax forward Mido to Young Player of The Year despite being sidelined with a knee injury since the beginning of February.