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Match Report: Grim's early error dooms Ajax to draw

	Tim de Cler battles with Iwan Redan of RKC. [source: ANP]

Ajax got off to a nightmare start as RKC scored in the first minute, the result of a spectacularly bad play by Fred Grim. The keeper's failure to collect a routine cross -- he fumbled and dropped the ball in front of the RKC striker Hoogendorp -- gifted the home side to an early lead. Badly executed offside trapping allowed a follow-on goal from Hoogendorp in the 13th minute.

After the second goal, Ajax took control of the match while RKC retreated into a defensive shell. Richard Witschge's brilliant strike in the 16th minute bouyed Ajax, and the Amsterdammers continued to attack throughout the first half, creating several opportunities to equalize. Solid goalkeeping from RKC's Van Dijk and off-target shooting by Ajax kept the remainder of the first half scoreless.

As quickly as RKC had scored in the first half, Ajax scored in the second. Some nifty teamwork in front of goal allowed fan-favorite Pius Ikedia to notch his first goal for Ajax 1, just 40 seconds into the latter half.

One very bright spot in this match was the return of American John O'Brien, who started and played the entire match in the right-back position and brought much-needed stability to that side of defense. After the match, Co Adriaanse called the American "the best right-back so far this season." Impressive, considering it was O'Brien's first match for Ajax 1 since the Amsterdam Tournament last summer. After that tournament, Adriaanse had called O'Brien "the best player for Ajax."

	John O'Brien.

Arguably the best player of the match was Richard Witscghe, whose 16th minute strike re-invigorated an Ajax side that was, at the time, reeling from two unlikely RKC goals. Witschge played with his usual confidence, but also with a tenacity and commitment that has seemed lacking in his recent efforts.

Co Adriaanse continued to tinker with his ever-evolving line-up in the second half. Shota Arveladze was brought on for Cedric van der Gun, who was ineffectual at striker for the second straight game. And Rafael Van der Vaart came on for Wamberto, who also struggled to find his form. Andy van der Meyde played the entire match, but seemed out of place throughout. His form was further confounded when Adriaanse moved him to the left side of attack to make way for Arveladze at the number 9 position.

Adriaanse's third substitution, Daniel Cruz (on for Witschge) failed to make his mark on the game.

Ajax's lack of physical strength was once again a factor. The slighter, more tentative Ajax players were too-often pushed off the ball or dominated in the air. Ajax fans must be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1 meter 94 cm) next season. (JM)

GOALS

• 1-0 Hoogendorp 1
• 2-0 Hoogendorp 12
• 2-1 Witschge 16
• 2-2 Ikedia 46

Referee: E. Braamhaar
Yellow card: none
Attendance: 6000

Line-up RKC: Van Dijk; Kalezic, Vd Berg, Teixera, Nwakire (63. Van Loenhout), Gudjohnsson, Y. Cornelisse, Petrovic, Hoogendorp (86. Van Dinteren), Redan (80. Samardzic), Van Wanrooij.

Line-up Ajax: Grim; O´Brien, Pasanen, Yakubu, De Cler; Galasek, Witschge (73. Cruz), Ikedia, Van der Meyde, Van der Gun (46. Arveladze), Wamberto (63. Van der Vaart).

Related Links:

• Official RKC website
• RKC profile on Ajax USA