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	Ajacied Wamberto runs between two Groningen defenders. [source: ANP]

Ajax traveled to Groningen on Sunday and played an exciting but erratic game where they gained and lost the lead three times, the last time coming just minutes before the end of play. In a dream start, thanks to the craftiness of goal-starved Nikos Machlas, Ajax took their first lead just 17 seconds into the match when the Greek international striker leapt in front of the Groningen 'keeper as the latter punted the ball. The deflection -- Groningen protested that it had come off Machlas' arm, but to no avail -- bounced to the right of the penalty spot, and even an apparent mis-kick by Machlas seemed to work in his favor. The ball dribbled to the left of the wrong-footed keeper and trickled into the goal, 0-1.

But, in a pattern that would be repeated three times in this entertaining but frustrating game, Groningen surged back to equalize, taking advantage of an outmatched Ajax defense to score just seven minutes later. Hugo's goal, a well-taken shot, was the first of several 'highlight reel' efforts on a day when defenses stood by to allow goal-scorers to shine.

The Ajax defense once again seemed to struggle to keep pace with the opposition's attack. Both de Cler and Vierklau, who replaced an ineffectual Kanu on the right side of defense in the starting lineup, were outpaced and repeatedly overwhelmed by the speed and quickness of thought displayed by the home side. And when Chivu left the game in the 19th minute due to a nagging hamstring injury, the defensive organization deteriorated a notch further, although Yakubu did an admirable job in his Ajax debut.

The remainder of the first half was a wild and wooly affair, in which the two sides took turns backpedaling to stave off waves of attack and then launching counters. After Hugo's equalizer, Ajax pressed on and very quickly assumed their third lead in the game on a terrific piece of skill from Shota Averladze. After Cedric van der Gun worked the ball to near the end-line, he passed to the Georgian at the top of the 18 yard box. Averladze dribbled quickly to his right and then let loose a low, unstoppable shot just inside the near post.

Like a boxer, Groningen reeled, steadied itself, and swung back. The Oosterpark faithful had to wait just four minutes to see yet another equalizer. A seemingly sedated Ajax defense watched as Groningen strung together a chip-in pass from mid-field which led to a clever side-footed full-volley pass from a striker with his back to goal. This freed the youngster Robben to go head-to-head with Fred Grim, and youth prevailed with ease, as the 17 year old and Dutch under-21 player took an exquisite first touch, dribbled once to get the Ajax keeper off balance, and then fired into the far-side netting from a lethally close distance.

Incredibly, Ajax were able to take the lead for a third and final time just as the first half drew to a close, thanks to more strong work from van der Gun and some abysmal defending by Groningen. After the former worked the ball up the right side, he chipped into the box, where an unmarked van der Vaart could take his time in placing a header into the right side of the goal.

American TV viewers must have been scratching their heads when FSW announcer Christian Miles summed it up as the "best half of soccer in the Dutch Eredivisie this season." Two poorly organized defenses on their heels while opportunistic attacks take advantage of them like a drunken party guest... not exactly a thing of beauty. But, I digress...

The second half settled down, and both teams played with a bit more defensive organization. Ajax, however, was unable to score. Groningen looked equally ineffectual, which may have explained why Co Adriaanse decided to give his forgotten man, Aron Winter, a run-about midway through the second half. The aging superstar was brought in to replace Machlas, shortly after (but obviously not because) the Greek international made a horrific back-bass error. Only some spectacularly inept finishing by Groningen allowed Ajax to avoid (for now) yet another equalizer. In his return, Winter looked as rusty as you would expect for a 34 year old man who hadn't seen first-team action in months.

One has to wonder about the future of Machlas. After his initial 17-seconds of brilliance, he was mostly invisible on the pitch. The reports of Ajax' pursuit of FC Twente's Vennegoor of Hesselink might have received more incentive from this match.

Just when it seemed that Groningen had packed it in and accepted the defeat -- one more fumbling step toward relegation -- they found a way to equalize yet again in the 85th minute. A tantalizing flick-on header from Drent found Groningen's forgotten man, former Yugoslavian international Curovic, alone on the right side. He finished expertly with a dipping strike from 15 yards which left Grim little chance.

Though the match was a draw, Groningen must have felt like the 'winners' on the day. And Ajax will have to reflect on the numerous lost leads, and the lost opportunity to gain the full three points on their Eredivisie rivals. (JM)

GOALS

• 01'  0-1  Nikos Machlas
• 08'  1-1  Hugo
• 11'  1-2  Shota Arveladze
• 15'  2-2  Arjen Robben
• 45'  2-3  Rafaël van der Vaart
• 85'  3-3  Dejan Curovic

Referee: Wegereef
Yellow cards: Vierklau, Wamberto (Ajax), Allach, van Dijk (Groningen).
Attendance: 13,000

FC Groningen line-up: Beukenkamp; Elshot, Van de Looi (76. Curovic), Allach (70. Schoenmakers), Johansson; G. van Dijk, Hugo, Broerse; Leonardo, Drent, Robben (64. Maximiano).

Ajax line-up: Grim; Vierklau, Pasanen, Chivu (19. Yakubu), De Cler; Galásek, Van der Gun, Van der Vaart (85. Cruz); Wamberto, Machlas (67. Winter), Arveladze.