Entry of:21-11-99
Ajax this week:
Ajax played the only match on the sundayafternoon. The guests in the Amsterdam Arena were FC Utrecht, an opponent that did cause fear amongst the Amsterdam audience. The first part of the game, which also meant the comeback of Jan van Halst in the position of defensive midfielder, was not dominated by either one of the teams. But in the 33rd minute Winter, who played his 200th match in Ajax-shirt, scored nicely with a header and put Ajax in the lead. That was enough to pull Ajax to the halftimebreak. After the break Ajax took control of the match but was unable to show that dominance in the amount of goals.First there was a severe injury where Verlaat was victim after a headbang with Oliseh of FC Utrecht. That happened in the 57th minute and Gronkjaer did not wait long after that with scoring the second and last goal of the game in the 60th minute.He did that with an open goal, but Machlas should have pushed it in. But Machlas failed often this game and it shows the bad form of the Greek player. The frustration when he was replaced by Wamberto was understandable. Still Machlas will turn out right soon, for sure, it is just some adjusting to the system 4-3-3, since he was used to having a striker next to him in Vitesse's 4-4-2. Gronkjaer, Knopper and Laudrup played anonimously, still Winter and van Halst played a good match, and that shows how good the collective is. True strength is required against Real Mallorca on thursday in UEFA-cup 3rd round.
Ajax next week: Next game for Ajax in the Dutch competition is an away match against AZ on November 28th. And AZ is a tricky team. They have troubles winning in their own stadium, but still they have some good players which should concern the Ajaxdefence. Chances of winning seem about 60%, it all depends how good the spirit is after the thursday Mallorca match.
Note for Ajax: 7
Rest of the competition:
Our defending champion can't help but embarassing themselves.Feyenoord played on friday against MVV and gave a 3-0 headstart away to the squad from Maastricht. Defenceless they watched MVV get a draw out the game, striking 3 times against Feyenoord. Not a very hopeful result for the team that is expected to play Chelsea in London on wednesday. PSV won with a poor 1-0 in their awaymatch against Cambuur L, an easy opponent. Despite the poor play they remain in the top with Ajax. Furthermore there were 2 very interesting games. Willem II played at home against Roda JC and seemed sure of the win until the 80th minute with a 2-0, but Roda JC scored twice in the endphase and so it was decided in a 2-2 draw. In Heerenveen Vitesse was guest and they played a good match, after the 1-0 of Jensen of Heerenveen, Vitesse scored three times and so this 1-3 victory seems to prove the success of the sacking of coach Neumann. FC Twente lost in Alkmaar from AZ, the 2-1 win from AZ meant their first homewin. And so AZ passed Twente in the table. RKC won with 0-3 in Den Bosch and still looks strong, which is admirable.A quick look at the table shows us that Feyenoord is on 10th place and that will surely amuse a lot of people outside of Rotterdam. Ajax and PSV have a save gap to Willem II now.
Note for the competition: 7
Moment of the week:
Last week I talked about Calderwood,trainer of NEC, and he is one of those trainers who have always been there, you could not imagine a situation without them. Another one of those coaches is Bert Jacobs, this old geezer trained about every team in the league and was a good guy. But good guys also die, so rest in peace Bert Jacobs.
Furthermore there were 2 awsome goals this week. First one was of Gesthuizen from Fortuna S, the second one was from Grozdic of Vitesse, both from great distance unstoppable in the top right corner of the goal. Pure class, especially Grozdic seems a solid player. The 200th match for Winter and the comeback of Van Halst are nice facts, allthough I would have settled for 2 extra goals if it was all the same....!
Willem ter Haar
(Looking forward to the day that Ajax turns Mallorca into Paella!Hopefully thursday)
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