Entry of:16-08-99
Ajax this week:
Ajax started with a homematch against SC.Heerenveen. Normally a team that should not give too much problems. Ajax is in the middle of the construction of its new team, though. And that is noticeable. The defense with van Halst is still quite shaky and it was typical that when he left the team became more selfassured in the second half.But still I think van Halst will be a good defender when he gets used to the system. It would have been luck if we got through the first half without a goal against us. We sadly did not have that luck, Talan opened the score for Heerenveen, 0-1. With Dani brought in the team and Winter filling up the space of van Halst with grace, the second half began with lots of action. A free kick of Witschge was stopped by Heerenveen-goalie Vonk, but Laudrup took it in the rebound. Not much after that Machlas decided to live up to his reputation of goalgetter and scored 2-1. At that moment, Ajax could no longer loose the match. The margin became two goals thanks to Arveladze. A goal of worldclass, a great curveball, from the left in the far corner past Vonk. The 3-1 was changed to a 3-2 though by a goal of Hakansson from Heerenveen. It is the typical Ajax-syndrom to start being ignorant when the win is secure. After the 80th minute the waiting for another Ajax-goal was changed in fear of a goal from Heerenveen. The nonchalance was most clearly seen in the defense.But it did not matter, that Ajax would win was secured for sure. Ajax can continue building without damage and get ready for the Ajax-Feyenoord that is coming up shortly. Positive is that after the pre-season defeats and the JC-cuploss Ajax is showing signs of recovery, and I am sure it will be more noticeable in the next few weeks.
Next: Away to MVV , a simple task and perfect to get some more confidence. MVV defense will not be able to stop Ajax attack as Heerenveen did and the defense will also have a easier evening. A secure 3 points I think.
Note for Ajax: 7
Competition this week;
PSV and Feyenoord started good as well, but they had easy opponents, MVV and Den Bosch. Cruz(Fey) and van Nistelrooy(PSV) both had their hattricks and looking at their form they will be a tough competition for Machlas this season. Vitesse,Roda JC and FC Twente(all subtop) all drawed and lost points. Especially Cambuur L, who kept Vitesse at a draw, played heroically, with a great volley-goal of Nelisse after 2 minutes. Vitesse seemed shaky, it is too bad Ajax does not play them soon. Willem II finally opened not with good play but with a win,2-0 against Sparta. I think they can play a good season again. FC Utrecht grabbed their first win with 1-0 from NEC. Fans were exstatic, but looking at the match, there will be no place for Utrecht in the top 10 at the end of the year.
Rest of the teams played anonimously. For a openinground, it was nice to watch but yet predictable.
Note for the Competition: 7
Moment of the week:
Funny was the situation of a commercial of Canal+(a commercial station who shows live football)advertising in a 5 min.commercial how great they are compared to Studio Sport, the normal Sportsprogram. But immediately after the commercial Studio Sport started and ridiculized the commercial in a very sarcastic way.
Great work guys, Studio Sport 4-ever!!!
Goals of Nelisse and Arveladze were also very nice moments.
=Willem ter Haar=
(this week an Ajax and Studio Sport-fan)
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